Monday, September 21, 2009
Newspaper article
http://www.pekintimes.com/news/x2023998149/-One-Bright-Smiling-Spirit-Memorial-walk-helps-raise-funds-for-mental-health-center
‘One Bright Smiling Spirit’: Memorial walk helps raise funds for mental health center
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DELAVAN, Ill. -
More than 100 family and friends walked a mile around the Mineral Springs Park Lagoon in Pekin Saturday morning in memory of Abbey Christensen of Delavan, who died on March 1 and would have celebrated her 21st birthday Tuesday.
Brenda Christensen of Delavan, Abbey’s mother, said that the second purpose of the event was to raise money for the Tazwood Mental Health Center.
“I just want to stress if anyone here today has a drug or alcohol problem or knows someone who does, please encourage them to visit Tazwood for help,” Brenda said. “They can provide counseling, therapy and referrals.”
Adults and children alike came from Bloomington, East Peoria, Goodfield, Manito, Pekin, Peoria, Tremont and East Moline as well as Delavan.
Ninety-seven walkers registered in advance, and more joined in support on Saturday.
The walkers wore gray T-shirts with “Abbey Christensen Memorial Walk 2009’” on the front and “One Bright Smiling Spirit” on the back, both printed in bright yellow, Abbey’s favorite color.
“As Abbey’s sister, I am not sure that I can recall many times when I did not see Abbey smiling,” said Tara Reuter-Burrell of Pekin. “Most days, she was bursting with energy and a bright smile to go along with it. Her bubbly personality is truly missed each day.
“Abbey was full of spirit from the very beginning. Abbey was always a girlie girl and loved anything with a hint of glitz and glam. She was so full of hopes and dreams.”
Abbey graduated from Delavan High School in 2007 and was attending Illinois Central College in East Peoria at the time of her death from a drug overdose.
Brenda said her daughter Tara, Abbey’s older sister, came up with the idea for the walk, put it all together and did all the work.
“When we do this again next year, I hope to emotionally have the strength to help her a lot more with the walk,” Brenda said. “Today, this walk really has two purposes.
“First, it is a memorial to Abbey. We will never forget how she brightened our lives with her laughter and her smile. She will always be a part of us and a part of our lives.”
At the time of Abbey’s death, memorials were made to the Tazwood Substance Abuse Program, Brenda said, and today an engraved Abbey Christensen Memorial plaque has been added to the center’s list of donors. The total raised by the end of the day on Saturday was $3,542.
The memorial walk began with a prayer by the Rev. Mark Friday, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pekin, where both Brenda and Tara attend. A yellow balloon launch marked the start of the one-mile walk, two laps around the lagoon, one step at a time.
Charles and Sandra Denman, Abbey’s great-uncle and great-aunt, came from Delavan. Sandra said that they were both touched by the number of people who came for this first memorial walk.
“It was just heartwarming to see so many attend, both from the community and surrounding area,” she said.
Robin Bell of Snap Happy Photos in Delavan took pictures for keepsakes. Many other businesses made donations, and door prizes were awarded.
As a young girl, Abbey was involved in Girl Scouts, dance classes, violin lessons, cheerleading and choir, Tara said. She said that it truly meant a lot to the family to see so many people who cared for Abbey and the cause they were walking for.
“We hope to help at least one person and prevent another family from suffering the great loss we have suffered,” Tara said.
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‘One Bright Smiling Spirit’: Memorial walk helps raise funds for mental health center
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Print This | ShareThis
DELAVAN, Ill. -
More than 100 family and friends walked a mile around the Mineral Springs Park Lagoon in Pekin Saturday morning in memory of Abbey Christensen of Delavan, who died on March 1 and would have celebrated her 21st birthday Tuesday.
Brenda Christensen of Delavan, Abbey’s mother, said that the second purpose of the event was to raise money for the Tazwood Mental Health Center.
“I just want to stress if anyone here today has a drug or alcohol problem or knows someone who does, please encourage them to visit Tazwood for help,” Brenda said. “They can provide counseling, therapy and referrals.”
Adults and children alike came from Bloomington, East Peoria, Goodfield, Manito, Pekin, Peoria, Tremont and East Moline as well as Delavan.
Ninety-seven walkers registered in advance, and more joined in support on Saturday.
The walkers wore gray T-shirts with “Abbey Christensen Memorial Walk 2009’” on the front and “One Bright Smiling Spirit” on the back, both printed in bright yellow, Abbey’s favorite color.
“As Abbey’s sister, I am not sure that I can recall many times when I did not see Abbey smiling,” said Tara Reuter-Burrell of Pekin. “Most days, she was bursting with energy and a bright smile to go along with it. Her bubbly personality is truly missed each day.
“Abbey was full of spirit from the very beginning. Abbey was always a girlie girl and loved anything with a hint of glitz and glam. She was so full of hopes and dreams.”
Abbey graduated from Delavan High School in 2007 and was attending Illinois Central College in East Peoria at the time of her death from a drug overdose.
Brenda said her daughter Tara, Abbey’s older sister, came up with the idea for the walk, put it all together and did all the work.
“When we do this again next year, I hope to emotionally have the strength to help her a lot more with the walk,” Brenda said. “Today, this walk really has two purposes.
“First, it is a memorial to Abbey. We will never forget how she brightened our lives with her laughter and her smile. She will always be a part of us and a part of our lives.”
At the time of Abbey’s death, memorials were made to the Tazwood Substance Abuse Program, Brenda said, and today an engraved Abbey Christensen Memorial plaque has been added to the center’s list of donors. The total raised by the end of the day on Saturday was $3,542.
The memorial walk began with a prayer by the Rev. Mark Friday, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pekin, where both Brenda and Tara attend. A yellow balloon launch marked the start of the one-mile walk, two laps around the lagoon, one step at a time.
Charles and Sandra Denman, Abbey’s great-uncle and great-aunt, came from Delavan. Sandra said that they were both touched by the number of people who came for this first memorial walk.
“It was just heartwarming to see so many attend, both from the community and surrounding area,” she said.
Robin Bell of Snap Happy Photos in Delavan took pictures for keepsakes. Many other businesses made donations, and door prizes were awarded.
As a young girl, Abbey was involved in Girl Scouts, dance classes, violin lessons, cheerleading and choir, Tara said. She said that it truly meant a lot to the family to see so many people who cared for Abbey and the cause they were walking for.
“We hope to help at least one person and prevent another family from suffering the great loss we have suffered,” Tara said.
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Thursday, September 17, 2009
1st Annual Abbey Christensen Memorial Walk
The 1st annual, Abbey Christensen Memorial Walk will be held on Saturday, September 19th.
9:00 a.m. at the Mineral Springs Park Lagoon in Pekin, IL.
Proceeds from the walk will be donated to Tazwood Drug Abuse Assistance.
The walk will start with a yellow balloon launch and end with a drawing for prizes.
This year's logo is "One Bright Smiling Spirit"
(My sister always had a bright smile on her face and was full of spirit)
Hope to see you there!
Check back for pictures and the results of the walk.
Thanks for your support!
Tara
9:00 a.m. at the Mineral Springs Park Lagoon in Pekin, IL.
Proceeds from the walk will be donated to Tazwood Drug Abuse Assistance.
The walk will start with a yellow balloon launch and end with a drawing for prizes.
This year's logo is "One Bright Smiling Spirit"
(My sister always had a bright smile on her face and was full of spirit)
Hope to see you there!
Check back for pictures and the results of the walk.
Thanks for your support!
Tara
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