Better Together: A walk with a mission

by Shirley Hickman, volunteer

Do you enjoy walking? Or sharing laughter? Or working with a team on a common goal? Why? My guess is because it is better to do any of those things together. I volunteer in organizations for companionship and to help others. In doing so, I have helped myself. 

Twenty years ago, Threads of Life created the fundraiser Steps for Life – Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy. There were about 100 participants at first, but from that seed, how  this event has grown! It grew because of committed volunteers. When I was the Executive Director, I was privileged to hear many wonderful testimonials. Some volunteered only on the day of the event; others committed to grow the event in their community and hence created a planning committee.

Everyone shared the same vision for the day: to create awareness of workplace tragedies (death, life-altering injuries and occupational illnesses). We know the key to prevention is awareness. The walk also provides much needed support to those family members. 

Some common sentiments I heard from family members were the opportunity to:

• honour my family member, be it a child, spouse, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or cousin. We are all families dealing with loss, whether that’s the death of a family member or the struggles of a family member with an occupational illness or life-altering injury, 
• a time for our family to grieve openly,
• ensure my family member is not forgotten by the community,
• for my extended family and friends to come together to reflect on a life that made a difference to each of them in different ways. We wear a button or write their name on our shirts,
• realize we are not alone.
• volunteer, perhaps on a committee, or day of, or be a team captain,
• share our story with others; to have a memory lane sign in our family member’s name.

Members of the community also share this passion for prevention and awareness. 

Common sentiments I’ve heard from community members, sponsors and volunteers: 

• Steps for Life is an opportunity to work with others who have a shared vision;
• I work with my co-workers not just on the committee but to create a team. This became a bonding event we look forward to each year;
• I have worked in health and safety for years. This event renews my commitment that there is still a lot to do;
• Our company was unfortunate to have a worker die, and Steps for Life is an opportunity for the co-workers to come together to reflect on the times they shared with this individual and show the family they remember;
• Being on the committee is not a job to me. I do this because I care. I hope to make a difference in the lives of the families living with tragedies and let them know that together we will continue to work together to eliminate workplace tragedies. 
• I come away with such a positive feeling, knowing I’ve contributed to a good cause and made a difference for families in my community.

To be part of Steps for Life, whether as a family member or a community member, you can register today at stepsforlife.ca.