A Grayson Family Is Dealing With Tragedy by Promoting Awareness
The Grayson, Ga. parents of Olivia Anne Hellwig, the 13-month-old baby killed last year after a car backed over her stroller, are dealing with the tragedy by raising awareness of pedestrian safety.
The family of Olivia Anne Hellwig, the baby who died after being backed over by a car while in her stroller at Lenora Park in Snellville on Sept. 17, 2011, have created a foundation in her name to raise awareness of pedestrian safety. An event planned at Grayson Community Park this month to help raise funds is already sold out.
“We are establishing this foundation to honor the short life of our baby girl,” Brad and Brooke Hellwig wrote on the Foundation's Facebook page. “Our mission, at this point, is simple. We are raising awareness of pedestrian safety, especially at places where families and children are present, such as a public park. As time goes on and the foundation gets stronger, we will allow it to grow and evolve.”
At the time of the incident, Olivia’s mother was pushing the child in a stroller across a pedestrian crossing area. A Riverdale woman, Tekila Myron Glass, reversed her vehicle in the wrong lane, striking Hellwig and the baby in the pedestrian crossing area. Olivia did not survive her injuries. Glass pleaded guilty last month to second-degree vehicular homicide and was sentenced to 24 months probation, 30 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, 120 hours of community service and completion of a defensive driving course. Her driver’s license also was suspended. She reports to jail on May 25.
Cheryl McCullough Photography and Erika Lynn Photography offered their services to help raise money for the foundation by hosting mini photographic sessions on May 20 at the Grayson Community Park. All profits will go to the foundation. The sessions sold out quickly, but Olivia's family will be at the park selling stickers and bracelets for the foundation.
fionanaranjo
7:02 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Make sure you get all the discounts you are entitled to. You might qualify if your vehicle has an alarm, for example check "Clearance Auto" site.
Janet Cary Perry
10:06 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Please slow down and be aware of pedestrians in ALL parking lots, not just recreation areas. Shopping malls and grocery store parking lots are notorious for cut-throughs and fast driving. May no other families have to suffer the loss of a child or other family member; and no other driver have to live with the constant sorrow of knowing that she/he has caused such sadness.