Purple ribbons tied on trees throughout Park Ridge in memory of a 7-year-old girl who died last month are coming down this week and being collected by volunteers with the community-wide campaign.
Volunteer Scott Bennett said the Park Ridge Park District has established drop-off sites for ribbons at Centennial Fitness Center, 1515 W. Touhy Ave.; Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 W. Sibley St.; and the Paula Hassell O’Connor Community Building at Prospect Park, 733 N. Prospect Ave.
Collection bins for the ribbons were donated by Home Depot, Bennett said.
A group of citizens started the Ribbons for Kate campaign on July 1 in memory of Kate Babich, who died suddenly on June 27 during a summer cheerleading camp. The cause of Kate’s death has not yet been determined, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The ribbons were also meant to show support to the Babich family, organizers said. Many volunteers purchased purple material and tied ribbons on trees along parkways, on school grounds and in parks.
Ribbons began coming down on Monday after the city allowed an extension through Taste of Park Ridge weekend.
“We’re trying to figure out how to collect all these ribbons, keep them from going into landfills and hopefully turn them into something that will forever live on as a memorial to Kate,” said Bennett, who is a local Girl Scout coordinator.
Citizens can drop off ribbons at any of the collection sites through at least July 25, he said.
Twitter: @Jen_Pioneer
