A representative from Chevy’s restaurants gave $50,000 to Sacramento State Wednesday at a memorial for former student Jesse Snow.

Snow was killed in an automobile crash following a night of binge drinking at Chevy’s on Howe Avenue in October 2001, according to the lawsuit filed by Snow’s parents.

Chevy’s settled out of court with the family in January to the tune of $2.5 million. Chevy’s also agreed to donate $50,000 to CSUS to increase alcohol awareness on campus, according to the settlement papers.

CSUS President Donald Gerth and Associated Students, Inc. President Eric Guerra joined the family and friends of Snow, state officials, and representatives from the Sacramento Fire Department at the event.

“We want to honor Jesse and create a legacy of alcohol awareness on campus,” Gerth said.

Chevy’s broke new ground, said Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Deputy Division Chief Manuel Diaz, Jr.

“There are 72,000 licensees in the state,” Diaz said, referring to the number of business legally permitted to serve or sell alcoholic beverages. “Chevy’s is the first one to take this step to ensure awareness.”

Stewart Ollikkala, Chevy’s Area Director for Sacramento, Tahoe, and Reno, personally delivered the check to Guerra.

“Chevy’s is committed to alcohol awareness,” Ollikkala said.”It’s part of our continued effort to educate young people about alcohol.”

Ollikkala stressed that service personnel at the restaurants are continually educated and reminded about state law and company policy regarding underage consumption and binge drinking.

Guerra then released the plans devised for the money. According to Guerra, the money will go to Safe Rides, an ASI program that gives rides to those too intoxicated to drive.”This money will definitely help,” said Safe Rides Director John Fine.

Currently, Safe Rides operates on a $34,000 budget. That money comes from the ASI budget, which comes from student fees.

According to Guerra, no volunteers were available for Safe Rides on Valentine’s Day or the night of the Causeway Classic, two nights when the most volunteers are needed.

Safe Rides has developed a new strategy in an effort to promote its program, Fine said. With half of the fund money, Safe Rides will pay organizations $150 per night of volunteer service. The other $25,000 will go towards promoting the program on campus and in the community, he said.

“The $150 is not meant to be a bribe,” Fine said. “It’ll be a trial thing to see if we get more volunteers, and we’ll see how it works.”Guerra and Fine both admitted that this money is a finite amount. Fine acknowledged this as a “jumping point to lobby for future grants.”

According to the Safe Rides Web site, fraternities, sororities, and campus clubs are encouraged to volunteer one weekend per semester. Intoxicated CSUS students, staff and faculty can call Safe Rides for a free ride home during operating hours.

Rides are available from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights between September and May.

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