ALMetro360

Channeling Grief for Good with the Lutzie43 Foundation BY M ELISSA J OHNSON W ARNKE E ACH YEAR , AS MANY AS 3,000 PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ARE KILLED IN COLLISIONS CAUSED BY DISTRACTED DRIVING . T O HONOR HIS SON P HILLIP ’ S LEGACY , M IKE L UTZENKIRCHEN AND THE L UTZIE 43 F OUNDATION ARE ON A MISSION TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE ABOUT DISTRACTED AND IMPAIRED DRIVING . A NEW INITIATIVE , 43 K EY S ECONDS , IS ON ITS WAY TO BECOMING PART OF A NATIONAL CONVERSATION TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE AMBASSADORS FOR SAFE DRIVING AND PUT A STOP TO THESE SENSELESS AND PREVENTABLE DEATHS . n the morning of June 29, 2014, Mike Lutzenkirchen received the news that every parent fears most. His son, Phillip, had been killed in a tragic, single car accident, along with the driver of the car. Toxicology reports later revealed that both Phillip and the driver were legally drunk and not wear- ing seatbelts. In an instant, the close-knit Lutzenkirchen family had lost their only son and brother, and the Auburn family and community lost a beloved for- mer athlete. Phillip had been a star player, finishing his career as Auburn's all-time leading receiver in touchdowns among tight ends. After his graduation in 2012, he signed with the St. Louis Rams but was sidelined from on-going injuries in 2013. He soon began a new career in wealthmanagement inMontgomery, spend- ing his spare time working as a volunteer football coach at a local private school. While football was Phillip’s platform, it was his impact off the field in which he was best remembered. A life full of vivacity, faith, kindness, generosity and passion was cut short by a series of bad decisions on a what should have been a fun night with friends. Less than two months after his son’s passing, Mike was asked to speak before a group of student athletes. His emotional speech sparked a new calling and mission to channel his grief. He created the Lutzie43 Foundation, named for Phillip’s jersey number at Auburn, to carry on Phillip’s legacy. Through the foundation, Mike has spent the past four and half years educating young people about safe driving while continuing to build on Phillip’s passion of giving back. “I have spoken to more than 168,000 students and served as a keynote speaker to business groups and organizations throughout the country,” said Mike. “Some speeches are harder to get through than others,” said Mike, “but I feel certain that it is my mission in life.” In addition to Mike’s regular speaking engagements, the Lutzie43 Foundation has provided character development curriculum for coaches and student athletes; an annual $4,300 college scholarship; and regular events like Joy Proms and Adapted PE Field Days to celebrate Phillip’s passion of supporting children with disabilities. Recently, however, a new initiative was added to the Foundation’s work — 43 Key Sec- onds. Already, the campaign is working to change the narrative on distracted and impaired driving throughout the country. O 26 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com GOOD DEEDS...................................................................................................................................