Red high heels may be in fashion this spring, but organizers of the forth-annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes are still waiting for spring to arrive.
The event, sponsored by the Family Crisis Center to call attention to domestic violence, was scheduled for this Thursday. But, even though the calendar said the seasons had changed, the weather said otherwise, prompting the agency to postpone the walk until next Thursday, April 25.
It will take place from 6-8 p.m. at Jack Kilby Square in Great Bend in conjunction with Great Bend’s Thank You Thursdays. The only thing that changed, FCC Executive Director Patzner said, was the date.
Pledge Sheets remain available at the Family Crisis Center Inc.’s office at 1924 Broadway Avenue in Great Bend. Men can get pledges as a team or individually with a minimum pledge of $50 for adults and $25 for students. Teams of four can also participate in a relay.
This year features new activities and more community partnerships to engage greater participation than ever before, she said. Activities include a parade walk, team relays, an expanded kids’ event section, food, and much more.
By having men walk in red stilettos awareness about sexual and domestic violence heightened, Patzner said. “The purpose of Walk A Mile In Her Shoes is for men and boys to demonstrate their desire to eliminate violence against women by walking in women’s red heels. It’s about getting men involved in this issue because it’s not just a woman’s issue.”
In addition, the walk raises money to provide services for survivors.
Center media liaison Brandon Steinert said he has not been around abuse, but still views the walk as important. “I walk for those who aren’t so lucky.”
Events like this help move humanity forward by forcing us to look at societal problems, he said. “The best thing we can do for our communities and the planet is to get behind causes like this and help push.”
But, he said, the walk also shines a light on how far we still have to go. “All the progress we’ve made toward protecting and enhancing human rights is for naught if we become complacent with other forms of intolerance and hate.”
Ladies can show their support by encouraging the men in their lives to get involved and by cheering men on the day of the event.
The center and its Domestic and Sexual Violence Center provide advocacy and services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Barber, Barton, Comanche, Edwards, Kiowa, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush and Stafford counties. For more information, call 620-793-9941 or visit our website at www.familycrisiscntr.org.