New Hamburg residents decorated their town in blue ribbons Sunday for Robbie Reiner, a five-year-old boy who fell in the Nith River near his home on Boxing Day night.
Despite an extensive search by police and firefighters, Robbie’s body has never been found, leaving his family in limbo.
“They haven't had a chance to grieve,” says Rebecca Munz, a friend of the family. “They haven't brought him home. So everything we can do is important,”
On Sunday, the small community held a fundraiser called “Go Blue for Robbie,” with all proceeds going the young boy’s family.
“I think it’s just community pulling together,” says Janice Reiner. “It’s showing family support and I think it’s just important for everyone to be together.”
Mike McNeill of Kitchener and his band Zed gladly volunteered their musical talent for the event.
“I have two daughters of my own and I can only imagine what they’re going through … not knowing and having any closure whatsoever,” he says.
Bill Bolton, who has been conducting his own river-side search, says Robbie’s dad has returned to work, but still walks the banks of the Nith River.
“We are doing a scaled-back search periodically,” he says. “There is very little we can do until there is more of a thaw in the river.”
A trust fund has been set up at TD Bank for the family.
