They’re walking the walk in the name of Maddy.

Rumson mom Dawn Tilton Massabni, who lost her 19-year-old daughter Maddy to toxic shock syndrome, has set her grieving mind on a mission to give to others by raising awareness of the very thing that robbed her of her little girl. She has dubbed her mission “Don’t Shock Me.” And her first order of awareness business, aside from a lot of lobbying in Washington lately, is to walk three miles with her son Georgie and others on Sunday (from Seven President’s Park in Long Branch down and back up the boardwalk) in remembrance of Maddy (and other loved ones from the area who have passed).

The Mourning Walk, sponsored by Stephy’s Place in Red Bank, is the first of its kind in the area. Stephy’s Place, which offers free grief counseling and solace in a meditative setting, was created by Sheila Martello in honor of her friend who lost her cancer battle and left behind three children. Martello, understanding loss all too well, was particularly moved and humbled, subsequent to her own loss, by her friend’s challenge and what lied ahead for that grieving family. She was determined to bring comfort to those faced with paralyzing grief. And she did.

Dawn Tilton Massabni has found her own comfort in the services and commitment offered by Stephy’s Place and wants to pay it forward for Maddy’s sake and the sake of all others trying to make sense out of loss with some sort of gain. Anyone may sponsor Massabni in Team Don’t Shock Me, walk or just send love.

“Hi everyone. Sunday is our walk with Stephys Place in remembrance of our loved ones who have passed. Please join me & Georgie as we honor our Maddy,” Dawn said in a Facebook message. “Go to Stephysplace.org, look for mourning walk and sign up under team “Don’t Shock Me” (Dawn Massabni). We look forward to seeing you all there on Sunday. Thank you xoxo.”

The walk starts at dawn on Sunday (details here), coincidentally. Click here for more details, to donate or join in. All proceeds are donated to Stephy’s Place in order to continue to provide free bereavement counseling services to anyone in need.