Annual Steps for Kids Walk Grows

Waterloo – For 5 years, Lutherwood has been holding its annual Steps for Kids walk to raise funds to support specialized children's mental health treatment programs. This year, the organization is seeing a significant increase in participation. This Sunday May 5, starting at 8:30, organizers are anticipating up to 400 people (up from about 80 last year) thanks to increased interest from the community and local businesses entering corporate teams.

“We are very grateful to RBC Foundation and Open Text for sponsoring the walk this year,” said Donna Buchan, Executive Director, Lutherwood Child and Family Foundation. “As a result of their generosity, many people have come forward both from inside these two organizations as well as from the community.”

The five kilometre walk starts at Lutherwood’s location at 285 Benjamin Road and winds through the beautiful north Waterloo countryside including the Trans-Canada and Avon Trails.

“We launched our Steps for Kids event to raise funds for Lutherwood’s treatment programs and raise awareness of the mental health challenges so many children struggle with,” added Buchan. “One in five children faces a treatable mental health issue. Unfortunately, because of the stigma of having a mental illness such as depression or anxiety, many children choose to suffer in silence. We need to talk about mental health to reduce the stigma so more children will seek help. This walk is one way of doing this.”

For more information and to register, please go to www.lutherwoodstepsforkids.ca.