We won’t be gathering all together in person this year, but when you register for this event you are supporting our community by spreading awareness!
While this event does not have a registration fee, we do ask that participants fundraise and/or make a donation. Whether or not you choose to participate in this event, you can support SSI by raising money through collecting of donations.
This year’s event is in memory of Dr. Robert (Bob) Kroll who dedicated his professional career to helping those who stutter. You can read about Bob’s life and impact here.To ensure that Bob’s legacy, spirit and memory lives on through the values and work of SSI, proceeds from this event will be directed to the Bob Kroll Subsidy Fund. This fund will continue to provide assistance for clients in need in his name.
When: Friday October 22-Sunday, October 24, 2021 – October 22 is also International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD)
What: A Virtual 1K/5K Walk, Run & Roll for Stuttering Awareness
Where: Anywhere! Wherever you are! Around your neighbourhood, work location, backyard, down the street or around the block. You can either do your 1K/5K Walk, Run & Roll full distance at once or break it into smaller increments.
How: Register as an individual, family or a virtual team – start your fundraising effort! Please post your pictures/videos on the SSI facebook page or tag us on Instagram…
Why: Because stuttering is not something that receives a lot of attention and is poorly understood by so many.
Just Imagine…
… being at a job interview, meeting new people for the first time and trying to introduce oneself, or answering the telephone and trying to speak but the words just won’t come out …..
…being unable to understand your child’s speech when they are talking to you, or watching your child deal with bullying in school because the words just won’t come out.
The 8th annual 1K/5K Run & Walk for Stuttering Awareness was a great success! Thank you so much being a part of our community.
The rain stopped just in time for us to enjoy a morning with family and friends. We were inspired by our guest speakers, Richard Holmes, Lisa Wilder and George Shields. It was a beautiful walk/run in the Betty Sutherland Trail followed by a delicious BBQ with fun music, kid activities and an exciting raffle. It was a memorable event for our community and a fun opportunity for people who share similar experiences to enjoy time together.
Funds raised will go to our clinical programs and ensure that speech therapy is available and affordable to all those in need.
Our heartfelt thanks to Greg O’Grady for spearheading this event with his tireless efforts (all the way from Newfoundland), and our team of volunteers who made it possible.
A big THANK YOU to the sponsors! We are very grateful to KPMG, I & A Professional Corporation, Carpet Van Go, Eithidex, KKP North York, Steelcon, Greg & Bruce, AGO, Picaboo, VIA Rail, Panera Bread, Sports Poster Warehouse, TSO, Ontario Science Centre, Longos, Mastermind Toys, Medieval Times, CN Tower, and MLSE for the wonderful support.
About The Event
- 1 K or 5 K Walk or Run through the beautiful Betty Sutherland Trail Park
- DJ with musical entertainment
- special guest speakers
- scavenger hunt and activities for the kids
- delicious BBQ lunch
- souvenir T-shirt
- exciting online auction
- raising funds for The Speech & Stuttering Institute to provide clinical therapy for all those in need!
For more information:
Greg O’Grady, Walk & Run Founder & Coordinator: gregog@rogers.com; 416-400-7955 or Loriellen Karam, Director of Development, SSI: loriellenk@speechandstuttering.com; 416-491-7771 x 243
To most of us, the act of speaking is easy. We think of something to say, open our mouths, and the words just flow.
But for some 350,000 Canadians, talking is not so easy because they stutter. This speech issue is not something that receives a whole lot of attention, and most people do not really know much about stuttering. This Walk & Run Event is designed to increase public awareness of stuttering and to raise funds for The Speech & Stuttering Institute, in order to help people communicate more effectively.
The Speech & Stuttering Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those with communication issues. We offer speech therapy to children with speech and stuttering challenges. Over 85% of our clients are children and youth. We provide evidence based treatment programs delivered in a nurturing clinical environment to clients who require our services, while also addressing the needs of families in difficult economic situations by never turning away a client in need of therapy who does not have the financial resources to pay for it.
This event will help SSI provide speech therapy to all those in need.
A message about the Event Founder and Coordinator, Greg O’Grady
Greg O’Grady is a graduate of SSI’s Fluency program. Greg credits this for making an invaluable contribution in the quality of his life personally and professionally. In appreciation to Dr. Bob Kroll and to the staff at The Speech & Stuttering Institute, he suggested the first “a million things I need to say“ 1k/5k Walk & Run for Stuttering Awareness in 2012, and has worked tirelessly since then making this event successful and meaningful for PWS.
Greg has continued in his dedication of this event in Toronto even after moving back to Newfoundland in 2018. In addition to the Toronto Walk & Run, Greg is currently planning Newfoundland’s 2nd ‘a million things I need to say’ 1K/5K Walk & Run for Stuttering Awareness and Fundraiser in support of The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (NLASLPA ) which is scheduled for September 29th, 2019
The 7th Annual Walk & Run for Stuttering Awareness, to raise awareness of stuttering and funds for The Speech and Stuttering Institute took place on Sunday, September 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario.
Check out the photo album here!
This was a morning when individuals, families, friends, and teammates enjoyed a gorgeous morning with inspiring speakers, a walk or run in the beautiful Betty Sutherland Trail followed by a delicious BBQ, fun music, kid activities and an exciting raffle. It was a memorable event for our community and a fun opportunity for people who share similar experiences to enjoy time together.
Not only was this a wonderful day to support everyone with speech challenges; this year was a record for both fundraising and attendance. Over 130 people were present, and so many more contributed by donating to this event that we surpassed our goal and raised over $21,000! AMAZING! This will go to our clinical programs and ensure that speech therapy is available and affordable to all those in need.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2019 Walk & Run for Stuttering Awareness on Sunday September 22, 2019!
Our heartfelt thanks to Greg O’Grady for spearheading this event with his tireless efforts (all the way from Newfoundland) and our team of volunteers who make it possible.
It was an amazing day at the Walk & Run for Stuttering Awareness 2017 Sunday, September 24th!
Over 100 people enjoyed the guest speakers, walking or running in the beautiful trail, music, BBQ and raffle. It was a wonderful opportunity for people who have communication challenges to understand they are not alone, and to be inspired. Very special thanks to Greg O’Grady who is the volunteer founder and coordinator of this event.
A huge thank you again everyone that participated including our volunteers, guest speakers Patrick Brown, MPP; Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and Michael Coteau, Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East and Minister of Child and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism, sponsors Richter, Menkes Developments, Carpet Van Go, Ethidex, Lindt, Mastermind Toys, Nine West, Ontario Science Centre, Panera Bread, Purdys Chocolatier and Toronto Argonauts Football Club.
The fundraising from this event will support our speech therapy programs and will ensure that all those in need can access our services.THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE!
Here are some photos from the event.
