Vigil, toy drive for toddler run over in Pitt Meadows

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MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS1130) – What was originally meant to be a small memorial for the two-year-old boy who died last Friday, after he was pinned beneath a van in a parking lot in Pitt Meadows is turning into something much bigger.

A candlelight vigil to be held tonight in Maple Ridge for young Riddick Servio has also become a toy drive in his name.

“I felt like it was the only thing I could do to help. I have a little one my self and when I heard, I was just heartbroken,” says Lindsey Matthews, one of the vigil organizers.

“I’ve actually never met the family personally, but we just wanted to do something to bring everyone together in the community.”

Matthews, the mother of a four-year-old girl, says her heart went out to Riddick’s family when she learned of his death.

“I can’t imagine what that must be like, for a mother to see. That evening, my daughter and I visited the site where it happened and we laid flowers, but I felt really hopeless and thought it didn’t feel right just dropping a bundle of flowers and not doing anything else,” she tells News1130.

“I think a lot of people felt the same. It’s a very small, close-knit community — very family-oriented — and I think everyone wanted to do something. This felt right.”

Matthews says the response has been overwhelming, with many people stepping up to volunteer and spread the word about the memorial.

“They don’t even care what they do; they’ve offered to do anything needed — just let them know and they’ll do it. It’s brilliant. It’s really heartwarming to see that.”

The family has asked for donations of toys and Matthews says anyone attending can bring new, unwrapped items to the vigil, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge.

“We are going to be donating those in the memory of Riddick.”

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