Viewfinder: Drive Safe 5K Race

To get the word out on the dangers of texting while driving and other reckless driving habits, Bloomingdale Girl Scout Liz Hinckley hosted a Drive Safe 5K June 18 at Alderman's Ford Park off County Road 39 in Lithia.

At the race, she asked participants to sign a pledge to drive safely. Each person signing the pledge received a beaded bracelet made by Hinckley that spells out messages such as "No Texting" and "Drive Safely."

It was all  part of the Bloomingdale High School graduate's effort to earn her Gold Award in Girl Scouting. The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can achieve.

"You have to perform 60 service hours and complete a project to earn the Gold Award," explained Hinckley.

Hinckley came up with the idea of hosting a marathon for her project because she's a runner. She ran both cross-country and track at Bloomingdale High School.

And the cause, driver safety awareness, is near and dear to her heart, she said.

"I see so many people, especially teenagers, texting while driving today," she said.