Just one week after they received the shattering news that their only son had been found dead, Steve and Angelika Crisp have set up a foundation to honour his memory.
Brandon Crisp ran away from his parents' Barrie home Thanksgiving Monday after an argument over his "obsessive" online video game use. Though he was spotted twice that day, he wasn't seen again until a group of hunters discovered his body November 5.
Brandon died of chest injuries, believed to be from a fall in tree.
A vigil was held Monday night, but his parents did not attend. One of his sisters was there, as was his grandmother.
"He's someone who can always crack a smile on your face," sibling Natasha said then.
"I'm just so proud of him...that he's been able to touch so many people's lives and he was only alive for 15 years. So I just want to put it out there that he is always going to be my hero and I'm just very proud of him."
The family released a statement to the media Wednesday.
In it, they announced their plans to establish a fund that will help under-privileged children play minor sports. They also thanked the community and many news outlets for their dedication to the search for Brandon.
Visitation for Brandon Crisp will be held Thursday from 2pm-4pm and again at 7pm-9pm at the Worsley Street Chapel of the
Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home in Barrie.
The public funeral, which is expected to have a huge turnout, is scheduled for Friday at
St. Mary's Church at 10am. Though the church can seat 950, the spillover is expected to reach the hall, which can fit 420 people. That will be wired with closed-circuit television.
Additionally, if there is any overflow, an audio feed will be set up outside.
The funeral home has a page where messages of condolence can be privately sent to the family.
Click here to leave one of your own.
"The thoughts of myself, my children and my grandchildren are with you and your family," wrote one man in a book of condolence.
"I just felt tremendous sorrow," he added.
Brandon Crisp case timeline
Donations can be made to the
Brandon Crisp Trust Account at any CIBC branch across Canada.
Family Statement
The story of our son's disappearance and tragic outcome has touched the hearts of families throughout our community and across our Country.
We are so very proud to have parented such a wonderful, caring and beautiful son who has touched so many hearts.
We take great comfort in our time of grief, knowing that his story has and will continue to have a profound impact on parents and children alike, that more time will be made by families to share precious time together. Life and love should never be taken for granted.
To honor Brandon's name we will be creating a foundation to support under privileged children throughout our community and across Canada to play minor sports they may not otherwise be able to afford.
An interim donation account has been set up with the CIBC as the Brandon Crisp Trust Account, Donations can be made at any CIBC branch across Canada.
The support we have had from so many has been completely overwhelming and has made an everlasting impression on our family.
We would now like to give special thanks to the many from our community and throughout Canada who have touched the hearts of the Crisp family and helped to relay this story throughout our great Country.
The Community of the City of Barrie, the Barrie Police dept, the Barrie Advance Newspaper and all of its staff, Family & Friends, Neighbors, clients, employees & sub contractors of Basement Concepts, St Josephs High School, The Catholic school board, The Sweetzer Family, Roosters Bar & Grill (Todd & Suzy), Microsoft Canada, Rogers Television, Metroland Media, Childsave Canada, Childfind Canada, CP24 News, A Channel news, CTV news, CTV National, CBC news, Global News, City TV, Breakfast Television (Kevin Frankish), Macleans Magazine, The Fifth Estate, CBC Sunday Morning, Annan-Bird Graphics company of Mississauga, Indy Imaging of Indianapolis, Strategic Outdoor Advertising of Barrie and Freskiw Farms of Coldwater.