Texting and driving: the combination can destroy lives in seconds. One local woman has made it her calling to make sure other teens don’t make the same mistake her daughter did — and local law enforcement and businesses are stepping to support the effort.

Saturday, at East Coast Wings in Washington, a benefit for the nonprofit For the Love of Sarah will be held: with the event flyer, 10 percent of every meal or bounce-house ticket purchased will be donated to the organization. Children can get a hands-on tour of Washington police and fire department trucks and vehicles, and North Carolina State Highway Patrol vehicles that will be on site; as well as listen to local band, and teen rock stars, K-OS will provide music.

But the real star of the show is Sarah Edward’s story — on Jan. 5, 2011, the high-school senior ran beneath the back wheels of an oncoming logging truck, because she was distracted by a text conversation. She was killed instantly. Since, her mother, Tracy O’Carroll, has been telling Sarah’s story, visiting schools across the state, warning teens about the dangers of texting while driving.

“It pretty much gets to them — about how fast it can really happen. They always ask me when we take Sarah’s car (with us), ‘Did it really happen that fast?” O’Carroll said, referring to using the crumbled remains of Sarah’s car during her speaking engagements. “I don’t want scare them, but I want it to get to them that your life could end — just like that. Talking with your friend, playing with the radio — any distracted driving can kill you or somebody else. It makes a big impact because I don’t sugarcoat it.”

This year alone, O’Carroll has been to schools in Charlotte, in Raleigh, in Ahoskie, as well as more local schools in Pitt and Beaufort counties.

In January, O’Carroll will be taking her unvarnished truth to Asheville and then up to New York City in January to appear on the “Today Show.”

Saturday’s fundraiser is to help O’Carroll with expenses, when she travels to and from the events: hotel, gas, food. The funds will also pay for the pledge banners that teens sign with their thumbprints as a pledge not to text and drive—banners she’s leaves with the schools to display.

The message and the event both have the backing of local law enforcement.

“We believe definitely in what she’s doing. She has been a part of National Night Out and a huge supporter. The past two years, I have seen what she’s done in the community,” said Kimberly Grimes, community outreach coordinator for the Washington Police Department. “We’re just excited to be a part of it. Tracy needs to be recognized — she does a lot of pulling from her own pocket in order to travel.”

Arm bracelets and T-shirts will be sold and a hometown celebrity, retired NFL wide receiver Terrance Copper, has pitched in for the cause, donating one of his signed, game-day jerseys to auction, as well as a cash donation.

Flyers for the event can be picked up at O’Reilly’s Autoparts on Carolina Avenue, First South Bank’s main branch, also on Carolina Avenue, the Highway Patrol office and DMV on U.S. Highway 17 North.

The event runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at East Coast Wings, located at 602 W. 15^th St., Washington.