LARNED — Staff and employees from the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility (LCMHF) recently participated in Great Bend’s sixth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.  
The event raises awareness and monies to help combat violence against women.  Teams of men walked and ran in red high heels.  
This year’s special guest was M.L. Carr, former star for the National Basketball Association’s Boston Celtics.  Carr said his sister was a victim of domestic violence for 20 years, but he was unaware of it.  He joined the board of directors of Futures Without Violence after finding out about his sister.  
“One in five girls are sexually assaulted,” Carr said. “Every year, over 10 million children are witnesses to domestic violence.  It’s time for the foolishness to stop.  No one deserves to be bullied, intimidated, to be hit or put down.”
Laura Patzner, Director of the Family Crisis Center, Great Bend and co-chairperson for the event stated, “We want to remember those women who are unable to stand with us.  We want to remember Teresa Carter, Bobbie Jo Ralston, Alicia DeBolt, Michelle Heggemier, Rhiannon Young and Susan Bagby, who were killed as a result of violence against women.”
LCMHF Warden Waddington challenged male members of the Administrative Resource Council (ARC) to form a team and participate in this cause worthy event.  
Once the ARC team was up and running, Warden Waddington then challenged the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) to form a team and participate.  
Those participating on the ARC team included Warden Doug Waddington, Deputy Warden Tim Easley, Business Administrator John Lampe, Special Agent Nick Yeager, and volunteer Kevin Kennon.  
Those participating on the SORT Team included Chris Denney, Aaron Cobb, Jaimee Barragan, and Roberto Castro.  
After the pledge walk and the one-mile relay race in heels, awards were handed out.  Doug Waddington, LCMHF Warden earned the “Most Graceful” award!