About me: MISSION STATEMENT:
To raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of drunk driving. We will provide educational resources for retailers and the community to aid them in finding alternatives to drunk driving. And finally, to create a safe ride program to be available when necessary.
ABOUT US:
We are a group of people who came together to create this non-profit organization through a shared concern for the frequent occurrence of drunk driving in our community. It is our goal to educate and increase awareness as well as personal responsibility in an attempt to eliminate drunk driving. We take our name from our dear friend "Handsome Joel" Svatek who was killed by a drunk driver in early 2003.
HOW IT WORKS:
Membership will be available to all bars and restaurants in the Austin area. Participating bars and restaurants will receive sequenced cab vouchers to provide to intoxicated patrons to ensure their safety in getting home. The cost of these vouchers will be paid for by the Handsome Joel Foundation. In the future, this program will grow and expand to include new options as they become available.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
As a retailer in the service dustry, we welcome the opportunity to educate your staff on the realities of drunk driving and methods of detection and prevention. Our meetings are open to the public, so any interested individuals are welcome to attend. And of course, monetary donations are always appreciated and can be made out to The Handsome Joel Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 301358 Austin, Texas 78701.
Profile edited with:CricketSoda Myspace Profile Editor
Well, shit. Thinking about all the good times (OMG, Mardi Gras...thnx Add! Val, I love you too!) still makes this big old boy teary eyed. Miss you like hell.
Joel, I wish I could talk to you. I miss you so much. I quit drinking today so I'm an emotional wreck, but in a good way. I am so ashamed of some of the things that I have done, that I feel like I need to do a lot of good. If this foundation needs anything, please contact me. Please.
joel, you were one of the first peeps i met in austin...1993, long before you were HJ...i have insidiously funny photos of us in Nawlins Mardi Gras 1996!!!
I tell your story to people here all the time. When I wear my I heart HJ shirt everyone thinks HJ means Hand Jobs and they laugh. I figure you'd like that. I love that picture of you on my roof. I think that was during one of your trips up here with Honkey. You introduced me to Pinkus and he said "Brent?....some times when I fart it goes brrrrrrent."
I enjoyed the time we spent as housemates in Austin. Your smile could bring me out of any funk and I could see it a block away. I love you and wish I could tell you about my life now in this crazy place I live and show you pictures of my daughter, Electra. I wish I could hear about everything you had going on since we last spoke.
I hate drunk drivers even though you would probably chuckle because hate is bad. I hope you and the angels are partying at some big barbeque in the sky, even though that would make you laugh too because I hate organized religion... but you always had a way of keeping me honest and kind about it.... talk to you again soon.
Claire
A toast in honor of your birthday dear friend! Thanks for always having the best thing to say to me at just the right moment! Always in my thoughts!!! xxx
Thanks for adding me, I just have to say how much I miss Joel and I did get the wonderful chance of getting to meet him when I first moved to ATX 13 yrs ago... I got to love him and Ill never forget him. Joel was pretty much the only person I talked to almost on a daily basis after I moved back to C.C. in 98... His death was tragic not only for me but Im sure everybody in his life... My love goes out to you still to this day Joel and I will always have you in my thoughts...always, Melissa
Joel was a guy that I don't remember meeting. I remember little things like him helping us load in our equipment at the clubs where he worked. Or just telling me that my woman was there when I arrived. Stuff like that. The best time I ever had with Joel was at an El Flaco show in San Marcos on my birthday. It was Joel's birthday, too. April 17th. Am I right? I haven't been able to verify this. I think it was Brad's (El Flaco drummer) birthday as well. Joel had a bottle of something that we took many shots from in El Flaco's van. We bonded on the birthday thing, El Flaco was fabulous, as usual, and it was just one of those great nights.
This is nothing, but once I played roadie for my friends Horseshit Gunfire on a weekend trip to Houston. They were opening for El Flaco at Emo's (deceased). After HSGF's set I was moving some equipment around and Rob (Bass-El Flaco) hollered down at me from the stage. The first thing that came to mind to holler back at him was: "Where's Joel?" 'Cause I hadn't seem him around. Rob said that Joel had to stay in Austin and sling pizza, but it was just one of those moments. What's cool is that a lot of us had them with Joel. It says a lot about the guy.
I feel priveliged to have known him. The rest of us need to try to live up to the standard that he set.
there's NOT a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I miss you so fuckin much.Things just aren't the same without you. I can still hear your voice. But boy do I miss your laugh,your smile, and your fuckin hilarious answering machine messages!!! Can't wait to rock with you again!
hey thanks for the add, I can't say enough good things about this guy, I had the privilege to have been roomates with joel for a year or so and have to say a truly righteous man, every one who came in to contact with this guy was blessed, an effin true rock n roll soul, we love ya h.j
