News : Until Everyone Stops - 5th Annual Stop For Maya Walk
Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton and Alderman Michele Smith (43rd Ward) Participate as Honorary Chairs
CHICAGO - On a beautiful sunny day in May 2006, a pretty little four-year-old girl named Maya Hirsch spent an afternoon at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago with her mother and older brother, but when they left the zoo they did not all make it home.
As they were crossing the street nearby, a car drove through the intersection of Belden and Lincoln Park West ignoring a stop sign. The vehicle struck all three of them. Maya’s mother and brother were slightly hurt, but Maya was pulled under the car as it drove off without stopping. Although Maya was immediately taken to the hospital, only a few blocks away, there was nothing they could do to save her.
Maya’s story touched many people, outraging everyday citizens and leading to an outpouring of support for Maya’s family. Since the inaugural Walk for Maya five years ago, the Stop for Maya Foundation has become a grant making entity that advocates for traffic safety initiatives and hosts an annual fundraising walk in Maya’s memory to raise funds for Children’s Memorial Hospital.
Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton and Alderman Michele Smith (43rd Ward) will co-chair the 5th Annual Walk for Maya.
WHAT: The 5th annual walk for Maya, a 1 mile walk through the gardens of Lincoln Park in honor of Maya Hirsch, who tragically lost her life when a driver ignored a stop sign at the intersection of Belden and Lincoln Park West. Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton and Alderman Michele Smith (43rd Ward) are the Honorary Chairman of the Walk.
WHO: The Stop for Maya Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting harmony and awareness among pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers on Chicago's busy roadways. The funds raised at the walk will go to Children’s Memorial Hospital Heartlight Bereavement Program, which supports families who have lost loved ones in traumatic incidents, particularly children.
WHEN: Sunday, September 25, 2010 at 9am (registration and activities for children)
- 9:45am program
- 10am walk begins
WHERE: Lincoln Park, at the corner of Belden and Lincoln Park West.
This year’s corporate sponsors include: GNC, For A Better Chicago, Redflex Traffic Systems and Russell Reynolds Associates.
