When John and Shelly Zubyck lost their 2 ½-year-old son Greyson on December 26, 2015, they hoped that the loss of their little boy would positively touch and change peoples’ lives. In memory of Greyson came One Foot Forward; a charity created with a goal of positively impacting other children's lives to be full and memorable through athletics in Temiskaming Shores & surrounding area.
On July 9th, One Foot Forward took Temiskaming Shores by storm with one of the largest, one-day fundraisers the area has ever witnessed.
To start the day, over 800 men, women and children registered for a family-friendly fun run and walk in memory of Greyson. Later that morning, a full field of golfers took to the unique Frog's Breath Golf Course and finally that same evening, 870 ticket holders attended the Greyson Zubyck Memorial Dinner and Silent Auction.
A number of special guests including Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele, Olympic gold medalist freestyle skier Dara Howell and the Right Hon. Joe Clark and his family were in attendance throughout the day to support One Foot Forward. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Kathleen Wynne also sent special messages of support for the attendees at the Memorial Dinner and Silent Auction.
Support for the event was overwhelming with local, provincial and national organizations donating:
- more than $147,000 in cash sponsorships,
- $36,000 in golf participation,
- over $200,000 of in-kind support, and;
- over 300 raffle, silent and live auction items.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child. John and I now know it also takes a village to get through each day without ours. We have felt the entire community mourning with us. We thank you for celebrating the life of Greyson”, said Shelly Zubyck at the Greyson Zubyck Memorial Dinner and Auction. “You have allowed us to put One Foot Forward.”
Premier Wynne has confirmed her support of One Foot Forward and saw first hand what the funds raised will be doing for youth in the Timiskaming District during her northern tour last week. The event included the Premier observing children from the Temiskaming Track Club participating in some of their drills, a meeting with John and Shelly Zubyck and their One Foot Forward team and a large cheque presentation to the Temiskaming Foundation from One Foot Forward's July 9th fundraiser.
Funds raised through One Foot Forward go to support the Gordon and Greyson Memorial Fund. As a perpetuity fund, interest on all funds will continue to be disbursed each year to support youth sports programs, scholarships and healthy active living - positively impacting youth throughout the area for many years to come.
Video about Greyson’s story and One Foot Forward
The Gordon and Greyson Memorial Fund is part of the Temiskaming Foundation. Donations can continue to be made at www.temiskamingfoundation.org.
