Nearly 200 people walk in pink to support Rockin' It With Ruby fundraiser

It was a sea of pink mixed in with the red and yellow leaves at Historic Fort Willow for Sunday’s Rockin’ It With Ruby’s annual fundraising walk for Down Syndrome. 

Sunday’s Rockin’ It With Ruby fundraiser marked the third year the event has taken place, explained Ashley Cordua, whose daughter Ruby, 3, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome shortly after birth.

“We started this (when) Ruby was a year old, and we started it with 36 people in our driveway,” she said, noting this year’s event, which was hosted at Historic Fort Willow just west of Barrie, welcomed approximately 200 participants. “(They) walk 3.21 kilometres with us to celebrate down syndrome and to raise money for our bursary program.”

That program, she explained, helps support families across the province by ensuring that Down Syndrome communities and families are supported financially.

“We noticed, as a Down Syndrome family, that funding from the government is few and far between. We decided we wanted to try to help families any way we possibly could, so we started our walks … and as of this morning, we have raised $10,000,” she exclaimed. 

The bursary, she continued, supports families who have a child who has Down Syndrome to cover the cost of anything they need that isn’t funded by the government.

“Therapies, extra equipment, extracurricular activities … really anything they need to ensure that their child is given every opportunity to succeed.”

Seeing the nearly 200 people, all donned in bright pink from head to toe - and even a few pets - come out to support the event, said Cordua, was “incredible."

“I never in my wildest dreams thought it would amount to something this big. It’s truly heartwarming to see this many people out and supporting us. Knowing the amount we have raised is going to support so many kids is pretty touching.”

Ashley White knows firsthand the impact money raised from today’s event - and other Rockin’ With Ruby fundraising events - can have on a family.

“We were a recipient of one of the bursaries offered by Rockin 'It With Ruby,” she said, telling BarrieToday they were able to purchase a specialty stroller to help her eight-year-old son. “We were very lucky. It helps Nicholas in the day-to-day and to be able to participate in events like this because he doesn’t have the stamina to keep walking, and it keeps him safe.”

This is their first time participating in the event, said White, adding seeing the sheer number of people who came out nearly brought her to tears. 

Gunness Gilbert and his family got to know the Cordua through their youngest daughters, he told BarrieToday, adding his daughter Meredith, 5, also has down syndrome.

““It’s heartwarming, obviously, to see all these people take time to realize this is a part of some people’s lives, even if it’s not directly affecting them.”

Elite Dance Studio owners Brittany Tobin and Jillian Harrison helped kick off the day with a quick warm-up, telling BarrieToday Ruby is a proud member of Elite’s dance family.

“We are proud to support Rockin’ It With Ruby and the Cordua family’s efforts to bring awareness, celebrate and support those with Down syndrome. Ruby is a member of our studio, and we have the pleasure of teaching her and her older sister Lola,” said Tobin. “It's important to us to promote inclusion as it is a core value of the studio. We are inspired by Ashley every day as we see her pour her heart into supporting families with Down syndrome children and educating our community. They are truly making an impact."

Sam Cirilli, Ruby’s aunt, echoed that sentiment and told BarrieToday how proud she was of all that her sister has accomplished over the last couple of years. 

“My sister is doing exactly what she set out to do: raise awareness and celebrate that little extra that we were blessed to have in our lives with Ruby.”