In the Media

Oakville Beaver editorial Jun 09, 2010 – 1:23 PM

Today’s Oakville Beaver features three articles about three local teens, Sara Carlin, Drew Hildebrand and Matt McGregor who, sadly, left this world all too soon.

Sara Carlin, who was suffering from depression, took her own life in her parents’ Oakville home in May 2007.

Drew Hildebrand died as a result of senseless teen violence in April 2008.

Matt McGregor was killed in a car collision last March.

We cannot imagine the heartbreak and loss their families and friends must feel.

However, we salute all three families for turning such heartbreaking tragedies into positive endeavours.

McGregor’s parents, Sharon and William, will honour the memory of their son by jumping out of a plane with a parachute on June 19. The jump has grown into an event involving 30 people, who will raise funds for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Hildebrand’s parents have honoured their son’s memory by establishing the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund to help turnaround teens achieve their goals. Last Saturday, more than 300 participants helped raise funds for this charity in the second annual Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund 5 km Walk/Run. The event saw five scholarships given to five turnaround teens to help them pursue their post-secondary education.

While the Carlins have not established a charity to in their daughter’s memory, they are still honouring her by ensuring she didn’t die in vain.

Against all odds, the Carlins have petitioned for a Coroner’s inquest into their daughter’s suicide in May 2007. The Carlins allege the prescription anti-depressant drug Paxil played a role in their daughter’s death.

The inquest began Monday and is expected to last three weeks. For the Carlins, it will be a grueling three weeks in which their daughter’s last days will be placed under a microscope and revealed to all.

The presiding Coroner Dr. Bert Lauwers has stated the inquest is not about finding blame for Sara’s death, but rather preventing similar deaths in the future.

If the inquest saves even one life through the jury’s recommendations or the publicity it generates, then the Carlins will have made a lasting tribute to their daughter.

For immediate release

Oakville, ON (May 14, 2010) —The 2nd Annual Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund  5km Walk the Walk/Run takes place Saturday, June  5th at Coronation Park in Oakville.

“Our goal is to encourage at-risk teens to walk the walk and take the initiative to find the path to a better life,” said Jay Hildebrand, whose son Drew was killed tragically in 2008, a victim of teen on teen violence.  A fund was set up in Drew’s name in early 2009; the aforementioned Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund.

After two successful 2009 fundraising events, the charity will award its first Drew Hildebrand “It Takes Courage to Change” scholarships to 6 very deserving turnaround teens from 6 different Peel and Halton schools, so they can pursue the post secondary education of their choice in September 2010.  “The turnaround stories these teens submitted were heartfelt and showed incredible courage as they each overcame difficult
hurdles and adversity.  The teens mentioned how motivating they found it to know that an organization like the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was available to them and
supporting their quest for a better future,” said Hildebrand.

“We want to celebrate and support turnaround teens in our communities.” said Crystal Simmons, Drew’s Mom.  “The steps we take together can help encourage some at-risk teens to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk and turn their backs on risky behaviour.”

There has been an increase of over 30% in youth/teen violence in Canada since 1991, much of it due to a rise in assaults, according to information from Canadian police forces. Therefore, the work of this charity becomes even more timely and necessary.

Registration for the day-long 5km Walk the Walk/Run begins at 10 am while the run and walk begin at 11:50 am and noon respectively.  A barbeque lunch and a live graffiti demonstration featuring urban artists Jessey Pacho and Kedre Browne will start at 1 pm, while the 5km Run awards will be handed out at 1:30 pm.  The free live Concert will sound at 2 pm, featuring the talents of MC-Tabby Johnston, Foxes in Fiction, Harshmellows, BF Soul, Wrench and Jordon John and Prakash John. The scholarships and fundraising awards will be handed out during the music performances.  There will also be a tribute area to Drew and other teen violence victims, and a community outreach area.  The live music will end by 5:30 pm, bringing an end to this exciting day.

All proceeds from this 5km Walk the Walk/Run will go toward this charity’s work.

About the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund

The mission of the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund is to support teens who are navigating the many pressures and dangers of violence, drugs, alcohol, among others. Through scholarship and support programs, and by raising awareness and concern among teens and within our communities, more teens will have a safer and better journey to adulthood.  For more information www.drewhildebrandtbf.com.

Jay Hildebrand, Crystal Simmons, Kim Evershed

Founders
T: 905-814-1306 E:  dhtbf@rogers.com

Charitable Registration Number 852039866RR0001

From SNAP Oakville:

Walkers came together at Coronation Park for a 5K Walk followed by presentations, a barbeque and music festival all in support of The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund. The fund will recognize and reward positive change through individual scholarships for post secondary education and or training programs. Scholarships are awarded to graduating teens who have demonstrated turnaround initiative. While a scholarship will be awarded at Drew’s high school, Thomas A. Blakelock High School in Oakville, the fund’s goal is to expand to more high schools in the Halton, Peel and GTA areas so that as many turnaround teens as possible can pursue a better life.

Link to article

May 29, 2009 15:06 ET
From Marketwire

The First Annual Drew Hildebrand 5K Walk the Walk Will Raise Money for Scholarships for Turnaround Teens
OAKVILLE, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – May 29, 2009) – The first annual Drew Hildebrand 5K Walk the Walk will take place on Sunday, June 7th, 2009 in Coronation Park Oakville.

“We are very pleased that 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 father. The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was established in memory of Drew, who died at the age of 16 on April, 08 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 in Toronto on August 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 High School, 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 mother. The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was established to recognize and reward these turnaround teens. The Fund, through its many initiatives, will also focus on raising 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.”

“Our goal is to encourage at-risk teens to walk the walk, and take the initiative to find the path to a better life,” said Hildebrand.

Final registration for the walk starts at 8:30 on June 7th in Coronation Park with the walk beginning at 10:00. The walk is followed by a barbecue lunch and a noon to 4:00 music festival that will feature 6 live performances at the bandshell. Participants can also visit a community outreach area that will include supporting charitable organizations like the Trillium Gift of Life Network, ChildFind Canada, and Unity Charity, a youth led anti-violence movement.

About the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund

The mission of the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund is to support teens who are navigating the many pressures and dangers of violence, drugs, alcohol, among others. Through scholarship and support programs, and by raising awareness and concern among teens and within our communities, more teens will have a safer and better journey to adulthood. For more information www.drewhildebrandtbf.com.
For more information, please contact:

DHTBF
Kelly Neuber
Director Marketing
kelly.neuber@mtgarc.ca

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 .

TRILLIUM GIFT OF LIFE NETWORK LAUNCHES RECYCLEME.ORG:
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN URGES YOUTH TO CONSIDER ORGAN DONATION

Provocative new campaign kicks-off National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness
Week and puts spotlight on critical need for donors

TORONTO, ON – April 20, 2009 – Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) took a bold step today and launched its first-ever campaign directed at youth to raise awareness about the critical need for organ and tissue donation in Ontario. The provocative new campaign, geared at reaching 15 to 24 year-olds is anchored by a new website, RecycleMe.org, which asks young people to consider the critical need for donors and the ultimate act of ‘recycling’. The campaign, which aims to increase donor consent registrations, was developed with the support of a youth advisory panel and will run for 10 weeks.

“This is our most important campaign to date,” said TGLN President and CEO Frank Markel. “It’s about starting a movement among young people and creating a culture of organ and tissue donation in this province. “Every three days someone dies waiting for an organ transplant and it is our belief that this campaign will let young people know that they have the power to help save lives.”

To develop the campaign, TGLN created and worked with a youth advisory panel over a period of six months to ensure its messages would speak to the intended audience. “Today’s youth are bombarded with thousands of messages every day and we knew that to break through, we’d need to listen to them about what stuck,” said Markel. “This campaign is a direct result of what they told us. It’s 100% for youth, by youth.”

The launch of the campaign is part of the Ontario Government’s provincial Organ and Tissue Donation Strategy designed to build awareness about the need for organ and tissue donation which will be rolled out over the next two years.

“With almost 1700 Ontarians currently on the waiting list for a transplant, we have a responsibility to build awareness and education – especially among our youth,” said David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “Research has shown that organ and tissue donation is simply not on the radar screen of most youth. This campaign is an important step towards creating greater awareness and increasing
donor rates.”

Running throughout the spring and into the summer, the province-wide campaign includes gripping transit and online ads, as well as wild postings and social media activations, which drive youth to the website. RecycleMe.org includes inspirational testimonials from youth who have had personal experiences with organ and tissue donation, raw video footage that features actual transplants, and a discussion forum. The site gives youth the chance to ‘join the movement’ and pledge their support for organ and tissue donation.

Aaron Kucharczuk, a 24 year-old student from the University of Toronto was one of the panelists who helped inform the campaign. “The problem with the issue of organ donation is that it hasn’t caught our attention like a lot of other causes that are well known,” said Kucharczuk. “We believe this campaign is going to put the issue on our radar and really get people thinking and mobilized in a powerful way.”

Besides the youth panel, TGLN consulted with various stakeholders groups throughout the development of the campaign including the Donor Family Advisory Council, Provincial Volunteer Committee and health care professionals. “My father passed away while waiting for a heart transplant,” said 18-year-old Jaynel White,
whose father made the decision to donate his organs while on the waiting list. “Even though he lost his life, there are multiple people who are alive today thanks to him. This new youth campaign can only help to save more lives, and hopefully prevent another child from having to say goodbye to a parent.”

Today in Ontario, nearly 1700 patients are on the waiting list.

Facts about organ and tissue donation in Ontario:
• Every 3 days someone dies waiting for an organ transplant.
• One organ donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation.
• Everyone is a potential organ and tissue donor, regardless of his/her age. To date, the oldest Canadian organ donor was over 90 years of age while the oldest tissue donor was 102 years old.
• Even an individual with serious illness can sometimes be an organ or tissue donor.
• The organs and tissue that can be donated include: heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, small bowel, corneas, heart valves, bone and skin.
• Most major religions support organ and tissue donation.
• Organ and tissue donation does not affect funeral services and you can still have an open casket.

About Trillium Gift of Life Network
Trillium Gift of Life Network is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario and is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and supporting organ and tissue donation across Ontario and improving the system so that more lives can be saved.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Carrie Hoto
Trillium Gift of Life Network
Tel: 416-619-2299
Cell: 905-999-2856
choto@giftoflife.on.ca

Micha Goddard
Narrative Advocacy Media
Tel: 416-922-2211
Cell: 905-999-2856
micha.goddard@narrativeadvocacy.com

Download this media release in pdf format

By Scott Dunn, Sun Times Staff

The first day of an upcoming two-day conference at Grey Roots will encourage teaching black history and sensitivity toward all cultures, religions and philosophies to kids, while also urging teachers to steer young people away from violence.

The annual black history event starts April 24 and is held in partnership with organizers of the Emancipation Festival, held on the Civic holiday weekend in Owen Sound’s Harrison Park.

The theme of the Friday conference is a response to the contention that many teachers are reluctant to teach young children about slavery and disturbing aspects of black history because they don’t know how to do it without scaring them, event organizer Lisa Scott said.

The theme also was motivated by the senseless death of Scott’s friend’s teenage son by street violence last year.

Saturday’s event will focus on genealogy and local black history.

The day-long event Friday will feature people who can help elementary and secondary school teachers tackle the subject of black history through drama, curriculum material and book suggestions, said Scott, who is one of the presenters.

Everyday violence among young people inspired the second theme of the event — that teachers and members of society generally have a role to play in guiding youth away from resorting to violence, Scott said.

“We are seeing a lot of violence in schools. That’s why the social justice issues are part of my topic. And we’re seeing a lot of children across Ontario respond with violence,” she said.

She said she believes students who would knife someone for stealing money, for example, aren’t getting the education they need to empathize with others.

Scott said she will discuss the important role teachers and the community can play in helping students make choices and feel empathy for others. She’ll talk about violence in schools and will tell the story of Drew Hildebrand, the 16-year-old son of one of Scott’s friends.

He died April 8, 2008 after he ejected some uninvited teens from a party in Oakville. During a scuffle, he hit his head on a curb and later died, Scott said. She’ll bring posters advertising a fund established in memory of the teen’s death. It will fund scholarships for teens who turn their lives around and support programs to that end. Scott said this year’s topics of cultural sensitivity and anti-violence have nothing to do with last summer’s unprovoked stabbing and beating of a black man in downtown Owen Sound about one week before the city’s annual Emancipation Festival.

But the message of tolerance and cultural understanding is as important to teach in less culturally diverse places like Grey- Bruce as in multicultural Toronto, she said.

“There is a diversity that has to be taught. Because those children, even if they’re sitting in classrooms that are 90 per cent white, they’re going to venture out into a world that isn’t”

Among those attending Friday and Saturday will be 69 new teachers from Toronto. Local teachers also have been invited to the event Friday, which coincides with a professional development day for them. Owen Sound Mayor Ruth Lovell and Grey County Warden Kevin Eccles will also attend, Scott said.

Saturday’s event includes a university instructor from California with expertise in genealogy who will tell her story about researching her roots and discovering a link with Owen Sound. A Collingwood black history and genealogy speaker and a motivational speaker will round out the presentation before a panel discussion about multiculturalism and diversity education concludes the event.

The black history event, now at Grey Roots, began in Durham as a conference on black heritage and genealogy.

Events both days run from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. Tickets cost $40 per day, $25 for students. Two day passes cost $70 , $40 for students. Lunch, coffee and materials are included.

Tickets are available by calling Grey Roots Museum & Archives at 519-376-3690 or the toll-free number, 1-877-473-9766.

E-mail questions to or see www.emancipation.ca

Article ID# 1526034

From the Oakville Beaver:
Blakelock honours a life cut short
By Tina Depko
News
Jun 07, 2008

A young maple tree was planted on the grounds of T.A. Blakelock High School Friday afternoon as more than 30 students and teachers looked on, many with tears in their eyes.
The tree, a symbol of life, was placed in the earth in memory of a life that was taken too soon.

The ceremony was held in honour of Drew Hildebrand, 16, a popular Grade 11 student at the school, who died in April from injuries sustained during a fight at a house party.

Despite the tears, it was a “happy day” for the family and a good opportunity to remember Drew, according to Catherine Simmons, Drew’s grandmother, whom he affectionately called “Nana.”

Simmons praised students and staff at T.A. Blakelock for their love and support during this very difficult time for the Hildeband family. The tree planting was a “beautiful idea,” she said.

“This is very special for us and it is nice the students thought of something like this,” she said. “It says a lot about Drew’s friends and this school especially.”

Simmons described Drew as a boy who loved music, his family and his friends.

“He was incredibly loyal to his friends and one of the kindest and most gentle people you’d want to meet,” she said. “We keep hearing all these stories from people we don’t even know who loved him.”

Several other family members attended the planting. They described the 16 year old as “kind, wonderful, caring and amazing.”

Devan Stojakovich, 15, spent most of her childhood with Drew as the two were cousins. She has many good memories of spending weekends at the cottage together and playing tricks on their family members.

“My mom said we were like two peas in a pod because we did everything together,” said Stojakovich. “He was the nicest person you’ll ever meet and I don’t know anyone who didn’t like him. He was definitely special.”

It has been emotionally draining dealing with the loss, but family members are taking it one day at a time, according to Drew’s brother Warren Hildebrand, 18, a Grade 12 student at T.A. Blakelock. He said his brother would have liked having a tree planted in his honour.

“We liked hanging out and going to school together,” he recalled. “This tree is in a good location and when people see the tree, they can reflect on all the memories they had with him.”

Friends wrote messages on stones at Friday’s ceremony that were placed under the roots of the newly planted tree. Many wiped away tears as they took turns shoveling the fresh sod.

Lyall McGovern, one of Drew’s best friends for the past four years, said his friend was the best person he knew. He helped organize the tree planting ceremony.

“We chose to plant a tree because it will grow and be here a long time and when everyone is gone, the tree and the plaque will still be here,” he said. “It’s about life.”

Those who knew the young man say they still have trouble dealing with the tragedy that unfolded on March 29 when a 15-year-old was thrown out of an Oakville house party after allegedly trying to start a fight with Drew.

Police said when the boy was thrown out of the house, he waited outside for Drew to emerge. A brief altercation between the two ensued.

It was during the scuffle that Drew fell to the ground where he struck his head on a driveway curb.

Other partygoers separated the two, at which point the accused left the area while Drew walked home.

During the night, Drew became ill and the following day he was taken to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children suffering from severe head injuries. He lapsed into a coma and remained on life support for 10 days before his death on April 8.

The 15-year-old involved in the incident, who cannot be named because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with manslaughter.

Angela Saunders, the social worker at T.A. Blakelock, said Drew’s death deeply affected the student body, with many taking note of his senseless death.

“I heard kids talking about two students, who were fighting and another student stepped in and said, ‘You’re not going to do that. We’ve already lost a student that way,’” she said.

Saunders said Drew was a good student, who never got into trouble and was respected by his peers. She said he will be missed in the halls of the school.

“When someone dies, people talk after the fact about how nice that person was, but everyone told him that and Drew knew that when he was here,” she said. “Drew was a phenomenal student and his friends are taking his lead.”

The students at the school have shown their support for Drew by purchasing T-shirts designed in his memory by a fellow student. Sales of the shirts have raised more than $2,500, which has contributed to the more than $8,000 donated in Drew’s name to the Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, which is the family’s chosen charity.

“I cannot thank the students enough for their generosity, love and kindness,” said Simmons. “They have all been so amazing and we can’t say enough kind things about them.”