Saturday, June 7, 2025

Fawick Park (downtown Sioux Falls)
9:00am - Program & Rememberance Ceremony
9:30am - 1.5 Mile Walk

This year attendees at the Step Forward to Prevent Suicide walk will hear from guest speaker Stefanie Kummer as she shares her personal story of tragically losing her son, Alex, at the age of 16 years to suicide. Stefanie and her family never thought this was something that could happen, that their loved one would die by suicide. As people have come to the Kummers to share how they knew Alex, classmates have told them how he always smiled at them and that he was kind to everyone. Stefanie and her family share their story to hopefully help others not have to go through the same, indescribable pain of child loss.

Before the program begins at 9:00am, attendees are welcome to arrive early to gather information, seek support from onsite staff and share stories of loved ones lost to suicide. We're pleased to welcome back the therapy dogs to our event as they bring a great sense of comfort to all those joining us that morning. Our guest emcee this year's program will be Mitchell Olson from Keloland Living. At the end of the program and prior to the walk, names will be read off of those lost to suicide. Names for this remembrance ceremony can be submitted online up until June 5.

The fundraising event raises awareness and support for the Helpline Center’s suicide prevention services and survivor support programs. 100% of the proceeds stay local. Parking for the event is available on the street or in the Avera parking lot to the west of Fawick Park.