Stairs of Strength: Calgary military families honoured with McHugh Bluff climb
Calgary Military Family Resource Centre's third annual fundraiser saw participants climb weighted stairs to raise money for military families across southern Alberta.
Hundreds of Calgarians laced up Saturday to climb the McHugh Bluff stairs carrying extra weight, raising money for military and veteran families across southern Alberta.
The Calgary Military Family Resource Centre's third annual Stairs of Strength fundraiser drew about 70 per cent military and law enforcement participants, along with community members supporting the cause. Funds raised support counselling services, emergency family support, pet-care subsidies for deployed personnel, and camps for military children.
"It's more than a fundraiser — it's a show of solidarity to the military families that serve alongside the Canadian Armed Forces," said Barbara Pohl, executive director of the Calgary MFRC. "People don't see the service they're giving. But when your family member goes away for extended periods … just to know that your friends and neighbours recognize what you're giving to Canada — that is a big piece of this."
Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth was among community leaders who came out to support. "We have great respect at the Calgary Fire Department for military veterans and the military," he said after completing the challenge.
For a third consecutive year, Lieutenant-Colonel Sandy Cooper took on the climb wearing "full fighting order" — about 55 pounds of weighted body armour and training equipment. The added weight symbolized "the physical and emotional weight" carried by those who serve. This year, Cooper's goal was to climb 1,670 stairs.
Pohl emphasized why the visibility matters: "Every step climbed represents the resilience, sacrifice and strength of these families, while helping ensure they have access to the connection, support and resources they deserve."