Tom's Walk
Through thorns of pain comes a story of hope
Join our Memorial Walk and Fundraiser for Mental Health
Tom's Walk is more than just a walk; it's a heartfelt journey that began in 2018, a mere six weeks after we lost Tom to his battle with mental illness. Every May since then, this annual memorial event has brought us together. By 2024, it blossomed into the Tom's Walk for Mental Health Society, a non-profit close to our hearts. This walk isn't just about mental health challenges; it's a safe space to share our stories and support each other. It's where all of us with a similar experience can honour our loved ones' memories and hear their names spoken. Our goal is simple: to share resources, ignite hope, and raise funds for The SILA Skills Group, which conducts workshops and training to build resilience and create connections. We invite you to walk with us, share your story, and be part of this supportive community.
Stu & Kelly Maxwell
MAY 26, 2024 ~ 12-4 pm
Let's Reconnect!
Devon, AB
Walk Information:
Date: May 26, 2024
Staging: 12 - 1 pm at Devon Alliance Church, 201 Miquelon Ave - across the highway from Tim Hortons
Kickoff then Walk: 1 pm
Place: The walk will occur in Devon, AB or your community!
Route: We are walking from Devon Alliance Church to Voyageur Park (the big field east of the boat launch). If you can't do the walk, join us along the route (e.g., IGA, River of Hope Church, or Voyageur Park). There will be a kickoff event at 1 p.m.
Join us for some fun family activities down at the park - Face Painting, Kids Activities, a Local Vendor Market, an open mic for music and spoken word poetry, awesome food and more! Let's celebrate reconnecting!
Vendors: Want to set up a table? Please email toms.walk4mh@gmail.com
Cost: There is no charge to participate. Please consider donating directly to SILA Skills in Tom's memory or in memory of someone you know. Please mention that this is for Tom's Walk if you can donate. Thanks!
Register: You don't need to register. Just come and have fun! Bring your entire family!
Event: If you are unable to join us in Devon, please take pictures of you enjoying your walk, bike, or run in your community and email them to toms.walk4mh@gmail.com
Partner with us! Any organization wanting to partner with Tom's Walk will have its name on the back of the t-shirt and its business information on this website.
Here is a link to a letter with more information you can read or share with a business you believe would like to support Tom's Walk. You can also contact toms.walk4mh@gmail.com. Donations must be made before the end of April for the business to be printed on this year's t-shirt.
All donations are appreciated!!
A huge thank you to MK Branding & Design for designing the Tom's Walk logo!
If you are looking at creating your own brand, be sure to check her out! Her work is timeless, classy, and clean!
Tom's Walk 2022
Memories from previous years!!
T-Shirts to Purchase: We have t-shirts for Tom's Walk 2024! We have chosen a unique design for this year.
We are looking forward to sharing one of his dreams with you: creating t-shirts with a positive message.
All proceeds will go to SILA Skills and the movement to help build mental health resilience by fostering supportive, validating, and respectful environments.
The cost for each shirt is $25. Please let me know if you will pick it up at Tom's Walk, CE Media in Thorsby, or if you need it mailed*.
You can pre-order from the store today!! They will start printing shirts early in May, and we will ship them out and deliver them hot off the press!
You CANNOT buy the shirts at the walk.
All orders must be made before May 17.
*Shipping costs will be added to the shirt cost.
What do you think of our new design??
A huge thank you to Shane and Shauna Oftsie for supporting Tom's Walk every step of the way! Need awesome SWAG for your business? Give them a call!
Would you like to donate to Tom's Walk?
We would love that!
Please access the donation link above. Check out our progress below.
💟Thank You so much!! 💟
You can see Pictures from
Tom was a wonderful singer/songwriter. His music has been enjoyed by many and now you can enjoy it too. Consider making a donation to The SILA Skills Group if you download any songs. Thanks.
Tom's Walk Supports
The SILA Skills Group develops and delivers skills workshops which enable participants to become more effective with those in their environment and learn how to manage their own emotional well- being in all situations, in essence becoming more resilient individuals. Transforming Classrooms is geared towards those who work in a school setting and Transforming Connections is focused on those who interact in high pressure environments, such as first responders or health care workers. These skills are for everyone. As a teacher, I am so thankful that my fellow educators can now learn and use the skills that I have found so valuable in my own classroom.
Consider donating to The SILA Skills Group. Be sure to let them know it's from Tom's Walk.
The SILA Skills Group is a Canadian not-for-profit organization and cannot issue tax receipts. Donations are appreciated.
Here are some other worthy organizations that helped and supported us and Tom through our journey with Thomas' mental illness and us since his passing.
This yearly event has become a precious evening for any who have lost someone to suicide. We look forward to it as it is a time of healing and connecting.
These organizations have shared resources for participants to help those who struggle with their own mental health or know someone who needs support. We trust these resources are helpful.
Please contact any of the following organizations should you have any questions:
Centre for Suicide Prevention is an education centre, a centre of excellence, based in Calgary.
Buddy Up is a men’s suicide prevention communications campaign: a call to action to men, by men.
For over a decade, Karunia Counselling has provided trusted and professional counselling services.
Our team of Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, and Masters-Level Interns is committed to offering client-centred, compassionate, and evidence-based care.
We will work with you to make sense of the difficulties you are facing, and support you while you uncover your strengths and enhance your capacity and skills. We believe that change is possible, and it is our privilege to walk alongside you as you move towards growth and healing.
Kickstand Connect – a virtual walk-in clinic exclusive for young Albertans aged 12 to 25 and their families. Appointments are available for any reason - no problem or question is too big or small. You can even make an appointment to check out how it works and what we offer.
Trained family peers with lived experience have intentionally created these interactive workshops to respond to parents’ feelings of frustration and confusion while supporting loved ones (age 12-25) who struggle with their mental health. Based in science and delivered in a non-clinical way, we walk through how we learned to think differently about our family situations and introduce you to the skills that help us to feel less stressed and manage more effectively.
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