Hello
It’s never easy to admit our own mistakes, let alone the mistakes of our loved ones. But sometimes, one error is all it takes to cause a lifetime’s pain and grief. As employers and employees, we must all find ways to control hazards in our own workplaces and to engineer out the possibility of that one mistake.
One mistake and the ultimate price
Donna will never know exactly what caused her son David’s death. He was a safety-conscious person, but that day while refuelling his forklift David reached over the front and turned the key in the ignition, likely to check the fuel level. The machine lurched forward and struck him. At first, Donna was consumed with questions and anger at David. “He made a mistake and paid the ultimate price,” she says. But eventually, she made a decision to focus on her love for David and his love for her. And that decision has helped to bring her out of the tunnel of grief and darkness. Today, Donna is a Threads of Life speaker and a volunteer family guide. Read more of Donna and David’s story.
Growing the Threads of Life team
Threads of Life’s regional development coordinators build relationships with partner organizations, support volunteers and fundraisers, and find ways to expand the organization’s reach. This fall, we will be hiring for two coordinator positions: in Atlantic Canada and Western Canada. The deadline for applications is October 11th. Please spread the word to others you think may be interested!
The holidays are coming!
Is it too soon to talk about this? Not if you’re ordering cards to send to clients, or planning a staff holiday event! One way to honour the holidays and make a meaningful impact is through Threads of Life. Make a gift to Threads of Life in lieu of holiday cards -- many partners simply send an email notice to clients and staff to let them know a donation has been made in their honour. Or make Threads of Life the charity of choice for an employee holiday event. For more information or ideas, contact Threads of Life at 888-567-9490.
Opportunity: Steps for Life committee volunteers
Looking to give back to your community, or to the health and safety sector? October and November are the time many Steps for Life committees welcome new volunteers to help plan their annual Steps for Life-Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy events. Committee members work to secure sponsors, promote the event in the community, handle logistics, recruit day-of-event volunteers and more. The planning cycle typically begins in the fall and continues until the walk is held in early May. Volunteers contribute up to roughly five hours per month, attending the monthly meeting/conference call and following up on action items. The time requirement typically increases in the weeks before the walk. 

Steps for Life committee positions provide opportunities to network with health and safety professionals, enhance existing skills and learn new ones, and contribute to the success of a well-known event that is making a significant difference in the lives of families who have experienced a workplace tragedy. 

For more information about Steps for Life volunteer opportunities, please contact Lorna Catrambone - lcatrambone@threadsoflife.ca or complete our online volunteer form.
ICYMI: On the blog
What will be your legacy? | Threads of Life

Alex and Kristopher were tied at the hip as brothers. They had great birthday parties, attended fun wedding dances; they roughhoused and goofed around as brothers do when they are young. Alex wanted to do so much more with Kristopher when they...

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threadsoflife.ca
What is a Volunteer Family Guide? | Threads of Life

I never imagined I would have my world turned upside down like this. How am I supposed to get through this? No one truly understands what is happening here. I need to talk with someone who actually gets it.

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threadsoflife.ca
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