Sarnia’s Steps for Life Walk is set to return May 7 to Canatara Park after switching to a virtual event for the last two years because of pandemic restrictions.
Steps for Life is a five-km walk in support of Threads of Life, a national charity supporting families affected by workplace tragedies that has raised more than $150,000 over the last dozen years in Sarnia.
“This will be the first time back in the park since 2019,” said Mark Roehler, chairperson for the Sarnia walk.
The virtual walks went better than expected and raised nearly $10,000 last year, he said.
The walk does two things, Roehler said.
It’s the main fundraiser for Threads of Life but its other purpose is spreading the word about the charity and the help it provides families, Roehler said.
“There’s a lot of victims of workplace tragedy that don’t know that there’s a support system and that this charity exists,” he said.
The charity’s website says 3,200 families are currently receiving support services which include volunteer family guides. They are described as “trained listeners” who have personal experience with workplace deaths, injuries or occupational disease.
Threads of Life also holds annual family forums where members gather for workshops, to share their stories and learn new ways to cope with tragedy, the organization said.
Shirley Hickman, a founder of Threads of Life, was originally from the region, Roehler said.
Her son died while working in London in 1996 “and there was nothing in place for the parents, the siblings,” he said.
Following that, the Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads of Life, was formed.
“Out of awareness, comes prevention,” Hickman told The Observer during an event in Sarnia in 2008. “If I can stop just one family from having to put a collage of photos on the wall of a family member who didn’t come home , then I’ve done my job.”
Roehler said he’s hopeful about 100 people will take part in the walk this year.
There is no cost to participate and individuals or teams can register online at http://events.threadsoflife.ca/site/TR?en_id=1265&pg=entry
They can participate in-person May 7, or virtually on any day in May.
The in-person event begins May 7 with registration at 9 am and opening ceremonies at 10 am, at the Seaway Kiwanis Pavilion next to the Children’s Animal Farm.
“We’re getting a lot of support from the community,” Roehler said.
As of Friday, the Sarnia walk had already reached more than $13,000, or 87 per cent of its $15,000 goal, “which is fantastic,” he said.
Roehler said the in-person walk also allows the local event to again offer a silent auction as part of the fundraiser.