The Jacob Hefter Foundation is a non-profit public benefits corporation in the state of California, which provides information and awareness to communities about positive decision making, and the dangers of texting and driving. The Jacob Hefter Foundation has recently obtained the 501(c)(3) status as a private foundation or a public charity from the Internal Revenue Status.

Background

The Jacob Hefter Foundation was created after the tragic Metrolink accident in Chatsworth, CA on September 12, 2008, where Jacob's life was tragically cut short. The Chatsworth Metrolink train accident was caused when the train conductor was texting while operating the train, causing him to miss multiple signals given to stop due to there being another train on the same tracks coming the opposite direction, and telling him to move over. It was not until nearly four seconds before the collision impact that the locomotive crews could see each other, and only two seconds before the impact that the freight train applied its breaks. The Metrolink engineer did not even apply its breaks before the collision occurred. Each train was travelling at approximately 40 mph. The force of the impact was so great, that the locomotive of the train was pushed 52 feet back into the first passenger train car, splitting it open like a can. There were 25 total fatalities including the Metrolink conductor himself, as well as 135 other injured ranging from minor injuries in which they drove themselves to the hospital all the way to critical in which they live with life long disabilities due to the accident. The search and rescue lasted nearly 22 hours after the crash occurred. Jacob Hefter was the last individual found in the wreckage.

Jacob was only 18-years old and had recently graduated from Palmdale High school, and just began attending California State University in Long Beach where he was pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. Jacob was a stand out student who graduated as valedictorian, was in the Palmdale High School Health Careers Academy, Sports Medicine, EMT program, played Varsity Golf, and was a member of HOSA.

Foundation Functions

The Jacob Hefter Foundation was founded by Angela and Alan Hefter, Jacob's parents, in 2009 approximately one year after the tragic Chatsworth Metrolink train accident. Mr. and Mrs. Hefter organized this foundation in hopes to bring awareness to the community about the dangers of texting and driving. The duo have gone to many different functions at a number of locations to present their story and spread their knowledge. With what began as speaking to high school students and young adults at functions such as assemblies held within high school campuses. There have also been booths placed in events such as fairs and festivals held within the Antelope Valley. They have even designed floats in the annual Palmdale Christmas Parade.

Pledging

Mr. and Mrs. Hefter have donated Jacobs car, Chevrolet Blazer, to the foundation in which many individuals were given the opportunity to make a pledge not to text and drive and sign the car. Once there was no more room on the car for signatures, banners were made and brought to each event in which people were able to again make the pledge to not text ad drive. By signing the car or banner, each individual is given a card as a reminder to themselves that they took the pledge. They are also given little mementos such as rubber thumb rings, bracelets, lanyards, pens, pencils, and even key chains to remind them in the car when they reach for that phone the danger they are causing not only themselves, but also to others, and that they themselves took a pledge not to make that destructive decision to text and drive.

Simulator

Recently, the Jacob Hefter Foundation obtained a simulator in which demonstrates how dangerous it is to text and drive. The simulation itself tells the driver to text while driving. There are a number of endings to this simulations. The driver either makes it to the end of the simulation, is arrested somewhere throughout, or causes an accident in which an injury occurs to either themselves or another individual. At the end of the simulation, there is a description as to the prices associated with texting and driving, whether it be a ticket, damage to the vehicle, insurance payments and rate increases, medical bills, and many other financial matters which are not expected when doing something as simple as texting and driving.

Scholarship

The parents of Jacob Hefter wanted Jacob's legacy to live on, so they dedicated a scholarship in his name to be awarded to a high school senior who is pursuing an education in the medical field. In recent years there have been not just the one scholarship, but there are now 2. One is awarded to anyone who is pursuing an education in the medical field, but now there is a scholarship for HOSA members who are also looking to pursue a career in the medical field. Each of these students who are to be awarded this scholarship are seen have displayed characteristics of integrity, ambition, and leadership, as well as keeping focus on their goals toward their futures.

References

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