One big Steps for Life family

Jim and Pam have a big family – six children. As Pam explains, they chose that together, imagining the games, the meals, the graduations, the weddings, the grandkids. Jim was the type of dad who would send loving text messages to his daughters.

But one day in 2014, Jim didn’t come home from work, and Pam had to help her children cope with their grief, as well as manage her own. Grief is a terrible battle, she says.

When they found Threads of Life two years later, they met other people who were travelling the same road. This year Pam and her family are the national family spokespeople for Steps for Life-Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy. Sharing a little of Jim’s story is a chance to honour him, and to encourage others to participate by walking and fundraising.

“We want to make sure everyone who needs this kind of support can get it,” Pam says. “And we want to make sure everyone understands the importance of health and safety …This spring, we would love to see everyone across Canada step up and support Steps for Life. You can make such a big difference to families like ours.”

When we walk in Steps for Life, we become one big family, doing the things that families can do best – supporting, encouraging, caring. Wherever you walk this spring, #WeWalkTogether — together with the Bakers, and with all the families affected by tragedy.

To be part of the Steps for Life family:

• Register to walk in your community, whether you join an in-person event at the park, take part in a virtual walk, or walk on your own.
• Create a team as part of the Team Challenge.
• Fundraise by personalizing your own Steps for Life page and sending out the word via email and social media.
• Or, donate to an individual or team, or make a general gift to support Threads of Life programs.