It was little more than a week ago when Connor Schuchard wrote on his Facebook page: "I think we should all start a new FADD. Friends Against Drunk Driving."

He was thinking aloud about a car crash that killed two of his friends - Maple Ridge's Crystal Weaver and Dawson Spencer.

The 18-year-old's friends started taking note and commenting on his page, encouraging him to "go for it." He wrote back: "I'm totally down. It needs to be done and I'm trying to trend it on Twitter. Need help."

Fast forward a week, and Connor has amassed a core group of eight to oversee Friends Against Drunk Driving, or FADD, and 2,500 people (and growing) who want to be involved with the grassroots movement.

"I was a little shocked that my two friends died, and when I changed my status, it sparked this idea. I didn't think it was going to blow up the way it has," Connor explained during a visit to The TIMES with four of the eight people responsible for overseeing the group.

Along with Connor, Andy McComb, Jake Cantin, and Gabby Kalnich have been fielding media calls, applying for naming rights, researching T-shirt prices, reading up on the rules and regulations of becoming a society, and all along grieving the loss of two of their friends.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 5, a van being driven by 17-year-old Dawson Spencer, crossed the centre line on Dewdney Trunk Road and crashed into a car in which Crystal Weaver, 18, was a pas-senger. Both died, and four other teenagers were injured.

The two boys in the van with Dawson, Ben Buttignol and James Churton, had serious injuries, but have been released from hospital, said Connor, who added that both teens have encouraged him to "keep up the good work" with FADD.

In the car with Crystal were two of her girlfriends, Andrea Sitter and Jessica Small. Andrea was released from hospital, but Jessica, who was driving the car, remains hospitalized with two broken femurs.

Andy McComb said Jessica is doing well, and getting better with each passing day.

"She wants to go home," he said. "Jessica was proud to be a designated driver."

Andy and Crystal went to Blue Mountain Elementary together and they all graduated together in 2011 from Garibaldi Secondary.

"That first week was hard because I saw Crystal on Saturday, but to be part of something positive helps with the healing," said Andy.

"It's a slow process, but now that we have an official name, we can open a bank account, make a logo, and fundraise. We want to make it worldwide. I have even gotten a comment from South Africa," explained Connor.

"It's not just teenagers' comments. We have lots of adult support too," said Jake, who mentioned that MADD has sent a few encouraging messages to the group as well.

"Our message is a different approach than MADD as we are trying to send a message to kids that drinking and driving is uncool and trying to stop it before it happens by using peer pressure and social media," said Andy.

FADD organizers said they have a lot more work to do to reach their ultimate goal, which is to stop drinking and driving all together.

In the meantime, they hope to make presentations to school councils to garner more support.

The last post on FADD's Facebook page before presstime reads: "Don't forget there is a week and a bit left to send in your drawings for our new logo! Email faddbc@gmail.com and be a part of something!"

smclaren@mrtimes.com