Safeway Select Magazine
June 2003
Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things: Kim Steuart... A Safeway Hero
FOR TERMINALLY ILL CHILDREN WITH A DREAM TO GO FISHING, HUNTING, OR ROCK CLIMBING, KIM STEUART IS THE MAN TO CONTACT. His nonprofit organization, Joseph's Journey, specializes in making wilderness adventures a reality for such kids. An avid outdoorsman, Kim believes the peace and serenity of nature can sometimes be the best medicine for these children, even if only temporarily. "Some of these kids have never felt the grass on their toes or the wind on their faces, or watched the grace of a leaf falling from a tree," he says. These journeys "allow the child a brief moment when he can forget he is sick."
The concept of the organization came to Kim after his 13-year-old son, Joseph, died from Leukemia. Sadly, Kim learned of Joseph's wish to go on a caribou hunt only after the boy's death. The unfulfilled dream left Kim heartbroken. But his vow to keep that from happening to another child has provided many kids, and their parents, with trips they'll never forget.
Besides fulfilling individual wishes, Joseph's Journey holds an annual Fishing Derby in the summer. This all-day event, designed to give kids some basic knowledge of fishing, is free for any terminally ill child wishing to attend. While his dedication to Joseph's Journey is strong, Kim has help keeping the organization running. His wife, Vickie, and daughter, Teresa, volunteer their time, as do the professional outfitters Kim hires.
Financially, the organization depends on donations from caring individuals and companies. The Safeway in Lakewood, Colorado, where Kim works as first Assistant Store Manager, is a staunch supporter of his efforts. Starting with sponsoring a bone marrow drive for Joseph, Safeway has donated time, products, and money over the last three years. "I owe Safeway an awful lot, " Kim says of the company he has worked with for 31 years.
Kim relishes the challenge of running Joseph's Journey and is optimistic that one day the organization will be able to grant the wishes of children everywhere. "I see my Joseph in every child," he says. There's no doubt he believes Joseph is the real hero. Kim Steuart is a true Safeway hero. Joseph's Journey, The nonprofit organization Kim Steuart started to Honor his late son, provides wilderness-theme adventures for terminally ill children.
