Crash inspires college students to take action Manalapan graduate is among founders of Kylie's Cause BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent The night of Dec. 28, 2007, changed the lives of Elizabeth Ricciardi, 21, Lauren Phillipi, 24, and Melissa Pinheiro, 21, all of whom are roommates at Monmouth University, West Long Branch. That nightMelissa's sister, Heather, 20, and their cousin, Kylie Pinheiro, 18, were driving her home from a party. Their car was struck by an alleged drunken driver five minutes away from Melissa's South Brunswick home. Kylie, an only child who was attending High Point College in North Carolina, was killed. Melissa, a senior at Monmouth University, had catastrophic injuries. Her sister, Heather, a junior at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, was seriously injured. "Lauren and I spent most of the first 11 days at the hospital visiting Melissa and Heather," said Ricciardi, aMonmouth University senior who is fromManalapan. "We found out that Melissa's injuries were covered by catastrophic health care insurance, but Heather had no medical insurance.We wanted to do something to help." Ricciardi, a 2004 graduate of ManalapanHigh School, and Phillipi, aMonmouth University junior who resides in Elmwood Park, called their project Kylie's Cause and attacked the problem from two angles. "We wanted to raise money for Heather's mounting medical bills of $80,000 and, just as important, we wanted to campaign against driving drunk," Ricciardi said. "We wanted to get the word out that there is absolutely no valid excuse to drive drunk. It isn't worth it. You have to make the right decision and never drive drunk." To raise money and awareness against driving drunk, the two students are selling $2 blue and pink rubber bracelets with the slogan "Don't Drink and Drive - Do It for Kylie." Pink, Ricciardi said, was Kylie's favorite color. To date about $1,400 has been raised and the university students and organizations have been wonderful in supporting this campaign, she said. Also, Ricciardi and Phillipi met with Paul Gaffney, the president of Monmouth University, and explained their fundraising efforts and campaign. "He said this was the first time individual students had started a fundraising campaign and he gave us his support," Ricciardi explained. With limited financial help fromthe university, the two students are holding a Kylie's Cause benefit concert at Anacon Hall in the student center at 8 p.m. April 30. The bands Chemtrail and in.spite.of plus singerMatt Stevens will perform. Free refreshments will be available. Tickets will be $7 at the door. Ricciardi said Melissa and Heather are recovering from their injuries and will likely return to college in September. Ricciardi said she is available to speak against drunk driving at local high schools and would like to establish a Kylie's Cause Foundation. "I nevermet Kylie, butMelissa and others tell me she was a very positive person, always smiling," the young woman said. "I don't want her to be forgotten and the foundation would be a great way to do this." Ricciardi resides inManalapan with her parents, Paula and Richard, and her brother, Richie, 15, who is a freshman at Manalapan High School. She has a sister, Christina, 19, who attends West Chester University in Pennsylvania. For information about the April 30 concert, the bracelets or tomake a donation, email Elizabeth Ricciardi at S0569362@monmouth.edu or call theMonmouth University Information Booth at (732) 571-3400.