The Simcoe County District School Board is offering help to the friends and classmates of Avalon Jamieson this week, following the horrific crash that took the six-year-old’s life on Saturday evening.
Avalon, who was a student at Lions Oval Public School, is being remembered as a “bright light” by her peers and mentors as the school board works to help its community through her tragic death.
“The Simcoe County District School Board’s traumatic incident response team is at the school today, and will be there for the remainder of the week offering support to students and staff,” said Jamie Campbell, the school board’s assistant manager of communications.
“Avalon is being remembered by her friends and educators as a student who was a bright light in her class,” Campbell said.
“She was full of energy and honesty. She cared and loved 'her kids' in her class and loved to collect gems. Avalon will be greatly missed.”
A roadside memorial has been erected at the corner of West Street and Colborne Street — where Avalon was one of three pedestrians struck in a two-vehicle collision on Saturday evening. The other two pedestrians — Avalon's younger sister and father — did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
Flowers, happy birthday balloons, and stuffed animals have been placed at the intersection in commemoration of Avalon, who was set to celebrate her sixth birthday Sunday with her family at an event that would have featured a custom-made rainbow cake and a special dress for the occasion.
At 5 p.m. on Monday, a candlelight vigil will be held in Avalon’s honour, near Orillia City Centre, in the parking lot off of West Street.
Since Avalon’s death, a GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $26,000 for her family. The link to donate may be found here.
Mayor Don McIsaac, along with Amber McGarvey of Ripple of Kindness Orillia, and Nosey Neighbours joined forces to create the fundraiser to help support the family in their time of need.
“We’ve set a goal of raising $34,000 — one dollar for every Orillian,” said the mayor, calling the tragedy a "sad day for Orillia."
For those more comfortable making an e-transfer that will be given directly to the parents, you can send those to [email protected]. Please put Avalon's name in the message section.
For those who would rather make a donation by cheque, funds may be sent to The Lighthouse at 75 Queen St. E., Orillia, ON, L3V 8M2, with a note indicating the donation is for the Jamieson family in memory of Avalon.
The incident remains under investigation, say the Orillia OPP.
Orillia OPP Const. Brett Boniface said the two kids and their father were standing at the southwest corner of Colborne Street, waiting to cross the road, when the crash happened.
"One of the vehicles careened onto the street and hit the pedestrians," said Boniface, who could provide no other details about the two vehicles involved in the crash.
Both drivers, he noted, remained on scene following the crash.
Members of the Traffic Incident Management Enforcement team and collision reconstructionists were on the scene for more than five hours after the incident, he said.
-- With files from Dave Dawson
