Ava's Walk is a Week Away

Last year’s AVA Walk was a success, bringing in more than 1,000 participants, and organizers say this year will be no different.

The April 22 walk is in honor of 5-year-old Ava Marie Zimmerman who was killed by a car as she crossed the street in the Village Center the morning of April 14, 2010. AVA stands for Advocating Vehicle Awareness, and the event also aims to increase pedestrian safety awareness for motorists.

The event went so well last year that no major changes are planned, said event organizer and Ava’s aunt Christy Cool at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting. 

The bronze statue, which was donated by local businesses in remembrance of Ava, stands near the spot where the crash happened.

Ava’s Walk hopes to help educate and remind drivers that the law states, “drivers must yield for pedestrians in a crosswalk.” The meaning behind the message of this year’s walk, “Stop in the Name of Love,” hopes to be as much of an inspiration to those in attendance as is it to the family and friends of Ava Marie Zimmerman.

Ava’s Walk will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. starting at Greendale Village Hall. Walkers can check-in and pick-up their walk t-shirts from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. and a welcome ceremony will kick-off the event at 2:45 p.m. Ava’s walkers will return from the one mile family friendly route to Greendale’s Village Hall to celebrate with food, music performed by Grace Weber, activities for the children including an interactive educational area, and the opportunity to sign “Pledge AVA – Advocating Vehicle Awareness”.

Proceeds from this year’s walk will go to Children’s Hospital Bereavement Program which supports families who have lost loved ones in traumatic incidents similar to Ava’s, especially when it involves children.

Family Rallies Around a Cause Shortly after Ava Marie Zimmerman was hit & killed in a crosswalk in Greendale, the family created Guardian Ava, a foundation in Ava’s memory. Its purpose is inspired by the life of a 5-year old to launch a major crusade against avoidable pedestrian deaths & accidents.

Each year, approximately 630 child pedestrian fatalities occur. More than 4,000 pedestrians are hit in Wisconsin each year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Those crashes resulted in more than 350 serious injuries and nearly 60 fatalities a year.

No one should fear walking to the park, visiting a local store or going to school. Pedestrians should have a feeling of safety, knowing that drivers will watch out for them. As a result, Guardian Ava has committed to advocating vehicle awareness and increasing pedestrian safety through education & events like Ava’s Walk.

Join the family of Ava Marie Zimmerman as they take a stand against these avoidable deaths and aid them in increasing awareness for pedestrian safety. For more details on Ava’s Walk and to reserve a 2012 t-shirt, visit www.guardianava.org.