Maldonian hiking to help domestic violence survivors

Sue Tufts is spending July 19-21 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire as part of Wilderness Heals, a fundraising hike benefiting Stone House

Malden resident Sue Tufts will be participating in a three-day hike this month to benefit a Boston organization that provides an inclusive and essential home and community space for domestic violence survivors. Tufts will be joining about 45 other hikers at the 29th annual Wilderness Heals, which is taking place from July 19-21 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Hikers raises money through pledges that will benefit Stone House, a Roxbury-based nonprofit that provides support services, housing, childcare, intervention, advocacy and much more to adult, child and family survivors of domestic violence. All funds raised this year will support the programs and operations of Stone House’s Emergency Shelter, a nine-unit home that is open to both individuals and families. Stone House first opened its doors in 1974 and is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year.

Tufts is part of a fundraising team with four other women from her gym, Total Performance Sports, which is located in Malden. “This is my third year participating in Wilderness Heals,” said Tufts, “and my first time being Team Leader, which is really exciting. Team Leaders lead training hikes, are required to get certified in Wilderness First Aid, and are responsible for safety and decision-making on the three-day hike.”

Tufts added, “Stone House does such good work and their mission is so important. To be able to combine my love of hiking with supporting such a good cause feels pretty wonderful.”

Tufts and her husband have been living in Malden for 12 years. “We love the area – the friends we’ve made and the fact that we can walk to great restaurants and breweries, or walk to the Middlesex Fells Reservation,” said Tufts.

If you are interested in donating on Tufts’ behalf to Stone House, access https://charity.pledgeit.org/f/rOBp13xEIF.