Include your loved one on race shirts and memorial signs!
*MEMORIAL NAME SUBMISSION, EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT and RACE SHIRT GUARANTEE deadline is AUGUST 9TH*
AUGUST 9, 2023 IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT MEMORIAL NAMES THIS YEAR! Due to planning the shirt design and printing, we cannot make any exceptions! This deadline also includes an early bird registration discount, guarantees you a race shirt and a memorial sign displayed race day!
All participants who pre-register online by our deadline specified each year (8/9/23) will have their loved ones name included on the race shirt design and any memorial pieces for the event. Please be sure to double check your spelling when you register! Memorial items may include a "WE REMEMBER THEM" sign to honor your loved one that is displayed throughout the course. We will recycle the signs each year to save on printing cost so, we ask that you please do not take signs with you from the run. You are welcome to take pictures
All proceeds from the Annual Baby Steps Memorial Run benefit The Amelia Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Since its inception in 1997, the compassionate staff of The Amelia Center have brought hope and smiles and understanding to hundreds of people who thought their lives were over. The Amelia Center offers individual grief counseling to parents and grandparents who have suffered the loss of a child and to children who have lost a loved one. In addition, the center offers family and group therapy, and educational opportunities for professionals (teachers, clergy and first responders) all who work with grief-stricken individuals. Services are provided at no set fee. The Amelia Center is supported by Children’s, client donations and community support.
Amazed by the support received after the first Baby Steps Memorial Run in 2009, the race founders decided to make this an annual event which continues to raise over $25,000 each year for The Amelia Center. Each year, our hope is to continue to grow the 5k and fun run. More and more families lose a loved one each year and we are glad to provide an event where our families can come together and celebrate those we miss. Pre-Covid, our average race included 500 participants and volunteers each year. These participants include families who have had a significant loss of a loved one (regardless of age) as well as friends and community members who are there to support those families and The Amelia Center.
Is this race only for families who have lost an infant? Absolutely not!!! We want each of you to know that we welcome anyone who has endured a significant loss. We know the name "Baby Steps" can be misleading for our event. Yes, the founders lost infants. However, just like The Amelia Center we welcome any loss. Baby Steps is what we are all taking to navigate through grief! Whatever phase you are in on your grief journey, we hope that you will participate and find our event helpful as you remember your loved one.
Announcement
SAVE THE DATE - Our 15th Annual Baby Steps Memorial Run will be Saturday, September 9, 2023! Register online by August 9th to have your loved ones name included on the race shirts!