“The stars aligned, and we had the trifecta of positivity for the event: The weather cooperated, the walkers were many and supportive, and the donations were plentiful!” says Michelle Lamont, Community & Fund Development Coordinator for Women’s House. “The volunteers were superb, and did their duties with professionalism, organization, and a great sense of caring and support for their fellow volunteers and the participants. And the Queen’s Bar and Grill was generous to a fault, offering up a partnership with us to help us carry out the event, providing their venue and delicious food to everyone involved!”
“It was an amazing day,” she continued, “and we raised record breaking funds, with $24,327 coming in at the event (with more still coming in on-line!) with 53 walkers participating in the walk.”
An ever-increasing number of men are joining in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® campaign to speak out against rape, sexual assault, and gender violence towards women. The annual event provides a unique opportunity to bring attention to a very serious subject, raise funds for Women’s House, and be part of an international movement to end violence against women.
Seventy-five percent of Canadian men feel it is important to speak out against gender-based violence. Many are doing so through the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®, not just talking the talk, but walking the walk donning red high-heeled shoes.
Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey held their Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® fundraising event on Sunday, May 26th, with over 50 men walking to take a stand against gender violence. The event, starting at the Queen’s Bar and Grill, took the men on a one-mile walk, donning red high-heeled shoes, walking down Port Elgin’s main street, and, as the old saying goes, actually “walking a mile in her shoes”.
In true Bruce & Grey county fashion, Kincardine Scottish Pipers lead the way, followed by red-heeled men carrying placards with messages in support of ending gender violence. Supporters and the many volunteers helping to put the event on lined the streets and cheered them on. Upon their return, the walkers were treated to a lovely spread of food, donated by the Queen’s.
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“We want to thank the many people that helped to make this event successful: all the participants, the Queen’s for helping us to host the event, the volunteers that helped to carry out the event, and the supporters who helped to raise funds and raise awareness. We also wanted to let everyone know that their support helped us to raise $24,327 at the event… and donations continue to roll in, as people hear about the event and still want to support through the donations link on our website (https://www.canadahelps.org/dn/15772)!” adds Lamont.
Women’s House gave out ribbons (donated by Presto Crest last year) to all walkers, based on Individual and Team 1st, 2nd and 3rd highest pledges brought in for the event. The first place Team and Individual also earned some very coveted trophies – a mounted giant red high-heeled shoe that they keep to display until next year’s walk. This year’s awards were handed out to: · 1st Place Individual – Chris Turcotte (check out his trophy on display at his store at Creative Casuals)
2nd Place Individual – Allan Thompson
3rd Place Individual – Steven Travale
1st Place Team – Bruce Power’s Frolicking Fellows Team
2nd Place Team – Tiverton Good Timers Hockey Team
3rd Place Team – MCR Milestone Metres Team
Women’s House operates a Shelter for abused women and their children, a Transition program that supports women in transitioning back to the community from the Shelter, a Second Stage Housing program that provides women with one year of rent-geared to income, an Outreach Counselling program, a Child Witness Counselling program, and Sexual Assault Services program. Last year alone, Women’s House supported 810 women, 219 children, and responded to 8,649 crisis and support calls. Monies raised from Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® help to ensure that the current levels of service provided continue to be provided in our community free of charge.
- 596 individual women were served;
- 167 individual children were served; and
- 11,390 crisis, support, and advocacy calls were managed on the phone lines
Women’s House appreciates everyone’s help in making this event so successful and, in turn, helping us to continue to provide the programs and services that help the women and children of our area, who have experienced abuse, to work towards better lives.
