BMO “Walk So The Kids Can Talk” comes to Amherstburg

BMO staff members from around WIndsor-Essex County and Chatham-Kent gather at Toddy Jones Park for the local “Walk So The Kids Can Talk” walkathon last Sunday morning.

A local financial institution brought an annual walkathon to Amherstburg on the weekend in an effort to aid children and youth.The “Walk So Kids Can Talk,” with BMO as the driving force behind it, saw the regional version being  held locally. Proceeds from the walk benefit the Kids Help Phone.

Jim Inglis, regional vice president with BMO, said BMO has been holding the walk for several years and are big supporters of the Kids Help Phone. He noted it helps youth and their mental health.

Inglis noted with all of the challenges youth face today, they receive help about overcoming them through the Kids Help Phone.

The group included Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada as part of its walk.

The local “Walk So Kids Can Talk” featured BMO staff and families from around Essex County and Windsor and as far as Chatham-Kent. Inglis said BMO’s branch in Amherstburg is led by branch manager Karen Davidson, and the walkathon came to town after organizers were invited to come to Amherstburg.

“It’s the first time we’ve had the walk around here,” said Inglis, adding he does make regular visits to Amherstburg for work and likes what he sees when he comes to town.

The walk was about 5K, and started in Toddy Jones Park. It went through the main gate at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada, came out the side gate and continued along down Dalhousie St., went along the waterfront and culminated with a meal at The O.

Inglis said walkathons didn’t just occur in Amherstburg, but was a national event with walks right across the country.

“This is happening coast-to-coast in Canada,” he said, adding there are additional events across North America.

Inglis added while the fundraiser is a walkathon, people can contribute in other ways if they were unable to attend the May 3 event. There are virtual walks and other ways to contribute, he said. Inglis added it is good for employee engagement to have an event and come together to rally for it.

Kids Help Phone is a national, mental health service that offers free, multilingual and confidential support to help all young people on a 24/7 basis. Youth can call 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868 if they need to have a confidential talk with someone, regardless of the issue.

BMO “Walk So The Kids Can Talk” comes to Amherstburg

By Ron Giofu