Thanks to the life-changing generosity of many, Brielle Thompson will be able to walk again.
It was a storybook ending to a month-long community campaign to raise the remaining funds needed to purchase a Trexo Robotic Walker, which comes with a $43,000 price tag.
A loud cheer erupted inside Cochrane Toyota from the large crowd gathered when Hearts in Motion organizer Dan Kroffat invited Mili Palacios to reveal the amount on the oversized cheque.
Brielle lives with cerebral palsy and spends much of her time in a bright pink wheelchair. That’s all about to change.
"You've given her more than mobility—you've given her some confidence and independence, and above all, hope," said her mother, Michelle Aguilar.
Still feeling overwhelmed after the emotional celebration, Aguilar tried to process what had just taken place.
"It's the best surprise of my life," she said. "Now we're able to purchase her legs. The community rallying around my daughter is just such an incredible feeling. I'd like to express my gratitude to everyone—thank you so much."
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Michelle launched her fundraising effort when snow was still on the ground, and as word spread, more people were moved to join the cause. Original Joe’s was one of the first to step up, collecting thousands of dollars’ worth of bottles.
"Every single fundraiser that we do, I always have high hopes we’re going to make it," she said.
But with the fundraising thermometer still hovering around $25,000 ahead of Saturday’s finale, Aguilar says there were no guarantees.
"This is one of the biggest events we've had, and I had my hopes up high that we could make it, but still there was a huge amount left, so I wasn't sure. I feel like I'm in shock."
Brielle’s father, Conor Thompson, praised the community for its overwhelming support.
"It's just so great that we live in a place where people are so caring about my daughter's future. We're very lucky with everything that has been given to her," he said.
Longtime friend Amanda Burritt and her daughter Emma also joined in the celebration. The pair had been at the launch of the campaign and were key inspirations behind it. Burritt had successfully secured robotic legs for her own six-year-old daughter last year.
"It's an incredible feeling, coming from a mom with a disabled child,” said Burritt. “It's so warming to see another family go through what we went through last year. To have them walk together has been our dream."
The day also marked a special milestone for Dan Kroffat, who was surprised with balloons and a heartfelt rendition of Happy Birthday from the crowd to celebrate his 80th. Guests were invited to enjoy birthday cake after the big reveal.
Kroffat, who has long championed charitable initiatives in the community, called the campaign a high point in his lifetime of giving.
"This campaign was so compelling that every person I spoke to said, 'Yes,'" he said. “It’s been a remarkable wave of generosity.”
With the full amount now raised, Aguilar says the order will be placed soon—and when Brielle takes her first robotic steps, the community that lifted her up will be the first to witness the moment.
