If you leave your car parked after a night of drinking in Montana, it might get a visit from a ‘Bar Fairy’
On a chilly Montana morning, you might return to your car after it spent the night at your local watering hole and find something unexpected tucked under the wiper. No, not a ticket. No tow warning. Just a quiet thank-you for not driving under the influence. That’s the work of the Montana Bar Fairies, a grassroots group with a mission rooted in heartbreak, and now, hope.
The idea started in 2023, after 21-year-old Bobby Dewbre was killed by a drunk driver while crossing a highway on his birthday
His mother, Beth McBride, and sister, Carli Seymour, decided they couldn’t let his death be just another statistic.
They noticed the cars left overnight outside bars and restaurants; evidence that someone had made the safer choice. Instead of ignoring those cars, they turned them into a chance to recognize responsibility.
That recognition took the form of a simple gesture left on certain cars
Volunteers with Montana Bar Fairies began leaving $5 coffee gift cards on car windshields, often early in the morning before owners returned.
Each card comes with the face and story of someone lost to a DUI car accident, reminding drivers that one responsible choice can save lives.
What began as a small family effort has grown into a movement across the state. The organization has distributed thousands of cards, expanded into new communities, and built partnerships with local businesses.
They support families grieving DUI losses and push for stronger laws, including measures like Bobby’s Law, aimed at holding repeat offenders accountable.
Montana consistently ranks among the worst states for drunk driving fatalities
The Bar Fairies want to reverse that trend. Their mix of gratitude, education, and advocacy offers a different kind of deterrent: one rooted in compassion rather than punishment.
For locals, spotting a Bar Fairy’s calling card means more than free coffee. It’s a signal that someone noticed and appreciated a good decision. For Beth and Carli, it’s a way to keep Bobby’s memory alive while steering drivers toward better outcomes.
