Each September since Maya’s passing, Stop For Maya has sponsored a memorial walk through the ‘Grandmother’s Garden’ section of Lincoln Park. The 1.6 km (1 mile) non-strenuous walk is designed for families to participate, and the procession is led every year by Maya’s grandmothers, Renee Hirsch and Ilana Balaban. The walk begins and ends at the intersection of Belden and Lincoln Park West, where Maya was killed. Despite the somber purpose the spirit of the event is lifted by the presence of children, and the message is one of hope and awareness.

The next Walk for Maya will be held on Sunday morning, September 26, 2010.  We would love to have you join us.

 

TO PRE-REGISTER: CLICK HERE.



Below is a copy of the remarks made to participants by Renee Hirsch and Ilana Balaban before 2008’s Walk.

Walk for Maya
September 28, 2008

Renee:

Good morning everyone, and thank you for joining us at the second annual ‘Walk for Maya.’ Welcome to our first-time participants, and welcome back to everyone who walked with us last September. My name is Renee Hirsch, and I am here with Ilana Balaban. We are Maya’s grandmothers, and we are here today to honor the memory of our wonderful granddaughter Maya. Two years ago she was tragically taken from us because of a driver’s careless disrespect for traffic safety. We cannot bring Maya back, though we miss her so much every day. But we have a dream, to make Chicago a safer place for everyone to walk, bike, and drive. That is the dream of Stop for Maya, the organization we have started in Maya’s memory. Until Everyone Stops, until everyone respects stop signs, we will be here.

Ilana:

In a few moments we will begin walking together through these beautiful gardens. Before we commence Renee and I want to take a moment to thank a few of the many people who have made this event possible. Thank you to Bob Buckley and Officer Deborah Fuller of the Chicago Police Department for all of their help, and thank you to Melanie Steinbach, Maya’s aunt, for her leadership of our young non-profit organization, Stop For Maya. As Renee mentioned we have a dream, to build on your energy, your sympathy, and your generous financial contributions to the cause. Almost 100% of each dollar you donate goes directly to developing our programs. Stop For Maya is using your donations to expand a pedestrian safety curriculum for children in our city. We are sponsoring a summit for community groups to come together and discuss how best to protect our citizens from the dangers of the road. We are committed to ensuring that our younger generation is not only safe when they step into a crosswalk, but that as they become drivers themselves, stopping completely at stop signs becomes as natural as clicking a seat belt. We could not undertake these efforts without your support and love. We love you too, and thank you so much for caring.

Renee:

Thank you walkers. We are so honored that you have chosen to join us today. Until Everybody Stops, please—remember Maya in your thoughts and your prayers. Remember all others whose lives are unfairly cut short by careless driving practices. Educate others about the importance of stop signs. Promise yourself to drive as responsibly as possible, every time you get in the car. Do everything you can to protect loved ones, both yours and ours.

One thing we can do is walk to bring awareness. So with that, Ilana and I invite you to follow us as we begin this year’s Walk for Maya. Thank you!