First annual Drew Hildebrand Walk

News
May 27, 2009
From the Oakville Beaver

The first annual Drew Hildebrand 5K Walk the Walk will take place on Sunday, June 7 in Coronation Park.
“We are very pleased our first tribute to Drew is ready to go and that we will start raising money to help turnaround teens,” said Jay Hildebrand, Drew’s dad.

The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was established in memory of Drew, who died at the age of 16 on April 8, 2008.

“We were so proud that Drew himself took such strong turnaround initiative and received that recognition from his high school, Thomas A. Blakelock, but unfortunately, tragedy struck before he could realize his full potential,” said Hildebrand.

The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was established in early 2009 and will have two major fundraising activities in 2009 — the 5K Walk the Walk in Oakville and a golf tournament at Royal Woodbine Aug. 24.

Proceeds will go to scholarships for post-secondary education and training programs for turnaround teens and other support programs that help teens achieve their goals of change and success.

While the first scholarship will be awarded at Thomas A. Blakelock, the fund’s goal is to expand to more Halton, Peel and GTA high schools.

“We all know it’s easy to talk the talk, but it can be an extraordinary challenge for teens to take the courageous and consistent actions to actually walk the walk, and turn their backs on risky behaviours,” said Crystal Simmons, Drew’s mom.

The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was established to recognize and reward these turnaround teens. The fund will also raise awareness of teen violence.

“We’re so happy that our first fundraising event is in Oakville, a community that has been so supportive to our family,” said Simmons. “We want to celebrate and support turnaround teens in our communities. The steps we take together can help encourage some at-risk teens to step toward a safer and better journey to adulthood.”

Final registration for the walk starts at 8:30 a. m. on June 7 in Coronation Park with the walk beginning at 10 a. m. Live music and a barbecue follow at noon.

For more on the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund, visit www.drewhildebrandtbf.com .