McChord Field's Airmen Against Drunk Driving program now has a new tool in its toolbox, adding another resource to help the program work to continue to prevent alcohol related incidents among airmen.

Lakewood Ford is donating a Ford Windstar minivan and the Pierce Military Business Alliance, McChord Officers' Spouses Club and local Air Force Association chapter are teaming up to pay for the insurance for a year.

"Part of our mission is looking out for the welfare of airmen, and if they're out drinking we don't want them driving home," said PMBA president Carlene Joseph. "AADD is a great program."

Currently, AADD volunteers man a phone line (253-722-AADD) that airmen can call for a ride home (within a 30-mile radius of McChord Field) when they've had too much to drink.

The program is completely confidential, said Airman 1st Class Supreme Jones, AADD vice president.

"It's not something that's going to come back and haunt (airmen) if they call for a ride," he said.

Because AADD is a private organization, airmen must use their own cars to pick up people who call for a ride. Drunken riders have a tendency to vomit in the car on the way home, Jones said, and the prospect of cleaning up the mess from one's car can repel volunteers from participating in the program.

The new van will likely help clear that roadblock.

"It'll attract more people (to the program)," Jones said.

AADD also plans on adorning the vehicle with the program's logo so it will be visible to those on and around the base.

"You'll actually get to see the vehicle out and about," Jones said. "It'll be a moving advertisement."

AADD was excited when it heard of the plans to donate the van and insurance, and is grateful for the boost it will give to the program.

"It's says a lot that the community is supporting us," Jones said.

Lakewood Ford officials are happy their former customer shuttle will have a new home. The previous shuttle was donated to Operation Homefront, said operations manager Greg Anderson.

"We always end up trying to do something good with them," Anderson said. "We're right here next to the base and our clientele there is huge. We really try and stay involved and help out any way we can."