Ray Gross envisioned The Peoples’ Union in 2001 in response to a series of tragic events that deeply affected his community of San Diego, California. Within a span of three weeks, two high schools, located just five miles apart, experienced devastating school shootings. These incidents, which occurred in March of that year, took place in East County, an area of San Diego County.
Our mission is straightforward but bold: by amassing a large membership, we aim to exert influence over local politics and sway elections. The core of our approach is to engage with elected officials by presenting them with our platform: a set of reasonable measures that prioritize the well-being of the people over the interests of developers, special interest groups, and self-serving politicians. Our mission is to shock the system—regardless of party affiliations.
Ray Gross, Founder
Ray Gross is an activist, businessman and entrepreneur, writer, and founder of the Designated Drivers Association in San Diego and the Peoples’ Union. In his own words, here is a bit about his journey:
“While being shuttled to a formal dinner for [a golf] tournament, I found myself in the front seat of a van. A man handed me a card that explained a service he founded. The card stated, “free ride home in your own vehicle,” and it even stated the hours of operation, which were Friday, Saturday, and Holidays nights from 10 P.M. until 2 A.M. He then explained that he used to be a limo driver who, during his downtime, provided free rides home to drunk people, hoping to save lives. Then, after years of driving limos, he decided to dedicate all his time and make this organization into a non-profit model. His compassion and commitment resonated deeply with me. At that moment, I declared: “I am going to start this service in San Diego as soon as I return!” The driver shared that another gentleman had just begun a chapter of this service in Sacramento. This further solidified my belief that this was my calling—to change the world, even if it is by taking one drunk driver off the road at a time.
Excerpted from “The Peoples’ Union Manifesto” Introduction, 2024
I dedicated all my time and energy to launching the Designated Driver’s Association. During this period, I established a close connection with a man named Nick in Sacramento, who had started the same program in Virginia a few months prior. Nick generously shared his knowledge; he explained how the program worked and even flew down to provide support on our first weekend of operation.
Before the program’s launch, there was much to be done! I reached out to alcohol companies, service-based organizations like Rotary clubs, and universities in San Diego. I sought sponsors, recruited volunteers, and secured loaner cell phones for effective communication. Writing letters became a common task for me—I requested donations, collaborated with Greek organizations through the Panhellenic Council and Greek Council to recruit volunteers, and sought partnerships with universities. Together with Nick in Sacramento, we created compelling marketing materials for the Designated Driver’s Association.
The program itself was relatively simple: if a citizen in one of the areas our program operated felt too intoxicated to drive, they could call a 1-800 number that would ring my cell phone. I would gather their location and contact information and pass it on to a team of volunteers. The team—preferably consisting of a male and a female volunteer, for safety reasons—would arrive in a car called the “chase” car. The male or female volunteer would then drive the intoxicated individual or group home, depending on the gender composition of the group. Females would drive all female groups and males would drive all male or mixed groups, this was for safety reasons, and then the “chase” car followed behind. The intoxicated party was dropped off at their designated location, the volunteer driver of the vehicle would get back in the “chase” vehicle, and the SafeRide was completed. This service was provided free of charge every Friday, Saturday, and holiday from 10 P.M. to 2 A.M, although most people tipped, which went towards covering the volunteers’ gas expenses.
Now, it was time to raise some money and gain community support. However, the bars were resistant, and even Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)—an organization that should have been supportive—actively worked against us. We found ourselves caught in a web of misconceptions with the alcohol industry viewing us as anti-alcohol and harm reduction programs seeing us as enablers of drunk driving. It was a harsh awakening, revealing the conflicting ideologies, egos, and fierce competition for sponsors and funds that permeated the world of politics and activism.
Amidst these obstacles, I was determined to secure sponsors for our cause. Surprisingly, one of our allies turned out to be a strip club. With their support and that of a few other bars, we began making progress towards launching our program. However, our journey was far from smooth. I still was faced with countless challenges with just three months to organize everything. One of our major hurdles was the lack of phones for communication. Undeterred, I reached out to a communications company and convinced them to lend us Nextel phones (which were like walkie-talkies) on weekends. I would pick up the phones every Friday and return them each Monday. I persisted with this arrangement for months, as inconvenient as it was. Finally, a generous grant from Pam Slater-Price, a San Diego County Supervisor allowed us to purchase our own phones.
Throughout this experience, I learned a valuable lesson: where there’s a will, there’s a way. Overcoming obstacles and achieving goals requires unwavering determination. Despite pounding the pavement tirelessly, progress in securing donations remained slow. Running the program and recruiting volunteers became a full-time job, and I occasionally took odd jobs, including revamping my old skills in paintless dent removal, to make ends meet. But I realized that if I wanted this nonprofit to succeed, I had to fully commit. So, in a leap of faith, I sold my work truck to cover my bills for the month, hoping that by the end of that month, we would generate enough revenue to sustain ourselves—albeit modestly. Fortunately, that month brought more bar sign-ups and donations from insurance companies and local Indian Gaming Casinos.
There were two crucial issues to address at this point: the inability to conduct background checks on our volunteers and the absence of insurance coverage for hired and non-owned autos. These liabilities troubled my conscience, and I knew they had to be addressed! Assemblymember Daryl Steinberg and State Senator Dede Alpert championed our cause. With some skilled lobbying and strategic maneuvering, we managed to get a bill passed that ensured organizations like our would qualify for free Department of Justice background checks.
As for obtaining insurance coverage, a woman named Sheila understood our mission, saw the impact we were making, and recommended a nonprofit insurance company called NIAC (Nonprofits Insurance Alliance of California). Unlike other providers, NIAC genuinely aimed to assist nonprofits and offer affordable coverage. Despite an initial rejection, Sheila and I composed a persuasive appeal letter to the company’s founder, Pamela Davis. To our immense relief, Pamela overturned the decision and granted us a non-owned auto and hired auto insurance policy. This breakthrough was a game-changer and a source of immense pride.
With the legal and insurance hurdles overcome, our program began to flourish! We expanded our volunteer base, established partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, and gained recognition as a vital service in the community. Our impact on reducing drunk driving incidents and promoting responsible alcohol consumption became evident through the declining statistics and positive testimonials from those we served.
In the early stages, we faced significant financial constraints and lacked the resources to organize fundraising events; however, we found innovative ways to raise funds and generate support for our cause. Instead of hosting fundraising events, we leveraged the opportunity provided by government-mandated airtime for public service announcements (PSAs). I was fortunate to secure donated airtime on all three cable stations, and I capitalized on this by selling ad space on the PSAs. Additionally, we distributed cards every Friday and Saturday night to create awareness about our mission and provide information about our operations. On the back of these cards, I sold advertising space to generate additional funds. Alongside these efforts, we also sought grants, received corporate sponsorships, and utilized revenue from our bars to support our cause. Despite the lack of traditional fundraising events, we managed to secure the necessary resources through these alternative methods.
Looking back on our journey, I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished: from the early struggles and challenges to becoming a recognized and respected organization, we have made a tangible difference in our community. Our efforts have saved lives, prevented drunk driving related crashes and injuries, and fostered a culture of more responsible drinking. But our work is far from over! Drunk driving remains a significant problem, and there is still much to be done to create lasting change. We continue to advocate for pragmatic anti-drunk driving laws, educate the public about the dangers of impaired driving, and provide safe and reliable transportation options. Our success has inspired similar programs in other cities, amplifying the impact and fostering a nationwide movement.
One of our greatest achievements was securing a powerful endorsement for our organization from Senator Barbara Boxer. She recorded a compelling public service announcement, urging individuals to volunteer with us. This endorsement brought significant credibility to our cause. Additionally, our strategic alliance with the California Institute of Transportation Safety (CITS) at San Diego State University proved pivotal. Dr. Sarkar, the lead investigator at CITS, recognized the significance of our program and conducted a comprehensive evaluation. Our focus at this time was on Pacific Beach: an area in San Diego notorious for high DUI rates.
The most crucial question on our exit survey was, ‘If this service were not available, would you have driven home tonight?’ Astonishingly, 45.6% of respondents answered affirmatively, thereby acknowledging that they would have driven under the influence if our service did not exist. It is important to note that these were honest responses, and we believe an additional 20% may have concealed their intentions. This was a transformative moment that solidified our belief in the profound impact we were making. Our work was not only changing lives but also reshaping the community’s perception of responsible transportation. Through our efforts, we successfully decreased DUI incidents, injuries, and fatalities in Pacific Beach.
Dr. Sarkar’s findings were published in the esteemed Journal of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and covered by local media, further bolstering our credibility. Armed with this evidence, we were empowered to approach bars, potential sponsors, harm reduction organizations, corporate partners, and municipalities. Moreover, we seized the opportunity to engage with Congressional members, who directed us to the Department of Transportation (DOT), subsequently leading us to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). Finally, NHTSA connected us with the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the California state agency capable of providing federal funding to expand our operations, hire dedicated personnel, and extend our reach into new areas.
Amidst these groundbreaking achievements, our program in San Diego garnered recognition and accolades. I was a semifinalist for the prestigious Heroes for Life Award granted by Volvo—receiving a nice plaque for my office in 2003 in honor of my accomplishments. Notably, we were bestowed the revered Community Heroes award presented by the San Diego Padres and The Volunteer Center of San Diego.
Through relentless lobbying efforts, I forged meaningful relationships, including the support of a city council member in the City of Poway who played a pivotal role in championing an ordinance to prevent drunk driving crashes, injuries, and DUI’s. My network extended far and wide, encompassing local, state, and federal political offices, and even the District Attorney. A consultant to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services committee in the City of San Diego, stood in awe when he witnessed the successful passage of a pragmatic, anti-drunk driving ordinance in Poway. He bestowed upon me his highest praise, stating, and I paraphrase “People like you that don’t have a price, you can’t be bought because you are not in it for the money or fame—just the cause, which means you are the most dangerous people in the world.”
Inspired by this profound recognition, I am now propelled to start The Peoples’ Union: an organization built on the principles of unwavering commitment and resistance to corruption. Our mission is clear: to create a United States that reflects the visionary ideals of its greatest leaders—a country that works for every single citizen. Our strength lies in the fact that we cannot be bought, as we stand united, unyielding in our pursuit of a better future.
However, my life story encompasses more than just triumphs. I have faced numerous health challenges, including adverse effects from an antibiotic that ravaged my nervous system, a severe neck injury leading to conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, and chemical sensitivities. Today, over 50% of my body is affected by Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)—rendering me mostly bedridden—with additional spine-related stemming from injuries I suffered during my life. At 53 years old, I am acutely aware of the limited time I may have left.
Nevertheless, I made a promise to myself to embark on one final endeavor—even from the confines of my bed. It is my aspiration to help unite the generations—Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—and help revitalize a country that has been ravaged by the actions of previous generations.