Arts & Entertainment

The Sun Shined on Thousands for Ava's Walk

Ava's Walk was in honor of five-year-old Ava Marie Zimmerman and an effort to increase pedestrian awareness to motorists.

Over a thousand people gathered in front of Greendale Village Hall on Sunday afternoon in honor of five-year-old Ava Marie Zimmerman, who was tragically killed by a car last year on April 14 in downtown.

Ava’s family turned a tragic event into a positive event with Ava’s Walk: Advocating for Vehicle Awareness organized to increase pedestrian safety awareness to motorists.

The event was planned six weeks ago and originally the organizers only expected hundreds, said Ava’s aunt and organizer Christy Cool. After promotion through Facebook and other sources over a thousand people signed up for T-shirt orders in advance to the event.

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The event kicked off with Ava’s mother Tanya Zimmerman spray-painting her daughter’s name, Ava, on a banner in front of .  

A dance routine choreographed by Sandy Young of Young Dance Academy in Oak Creek broke out in the street. It was then followed by speeches from interim police chief Bob Malasuk, Ava’s uncle Joe Zimmerman and Cool.

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A special guest was 6-year-old Xavier Davis-Bilbo who was struck by car less than a year ago and is now paralyzed.

The walk started in front of Village Hall, down to Broad Street, then to Southway and rerouted back.

Individuals were able to sign a safe driving pledge at the end of the walk.

The family plans to make the walk an annual event. They also plan to create a foundation called Guardian Ava, in which they will share their story and educate people about pedestrian awareness.

Cool said she felt that Ava was there at the event. “She’s here. Smiling beyond smiling. She’s with us very much."

 

Editor's note: More coverage to come.


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