On Saturday, April 26, nearly 100 registered walkers participated in SARC’s sixth annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®: The International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence.”
The event raised $42,750 to support the ongoing work of SARC, Sexual Assault and Spouse Abuse Resource Center, which provides legal and counseling services, a shelter and a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year help line to victims of sexual and domestic abuse.
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The top fundraiser was Steve Linkous of Harford Mutual Insurance, who raised more than $19,000 and completed the mile walk in a pair of red leather, five-inch Mary Janes. The honor of “Best Heels,” however, was awarded to Joe Foster, whose black platforms with ruby red toes and a coordinating outfit really turned heads. The top fundraising team was Strutting Fiercely, comprised of Ben Meyer, Patrick Chambers, P.J. Chambers, Steve Chambers, Maxwell Wray and Dr. Mary Teddy Wray, who together raised more than $3,000. And the winners of the best team name were Keith Huebel, Phillip Crocker, Jim Brady, Beth Hendrix, Dave Joynt, Scott Keck, Pat Pollard, Reggie Pryzbylski, Chase Schmidt, Tony Steelman, Gary Stokes, John Stump, Jay Van Deusen, Jim Welch, Mark Welsh, Robin Young, who called themselves, “Studs in Heels.”
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Several Harford County elected officials came out to participate. Billy Boniface, a longtime supporter of the event and this year’s honorary event chair, joined County Councilman Chad Shrodes and Sheriff Jesse Bane to walk in brightly-colored high heels.
“It was a wonderful event! Hairy mens’ legs, tottering down Main Street in fabulous footwear, all for a great cause on a warm, sunny spring day—how fun is that!?,” said SARC Associate Director of Development Kelsey Luchey. “We are so grateful to all of the participants for their willingness to ‘walk a mile in her shoes’ and raise support and awareness for the thousands of victims of abuse in our County.”
The event culminated at an after-party at MaGerk’s Pub and Grill, which donated 10 percent of all lunch proceeds back to SARC.
To learn more, visit the event Facebook page or www.sarc-maryland.org. SARC is still accepting donations to close the gap to its $50,000 event goal; to donate, visit the event page.
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About SARC
Since 1978, SARC has provided hope and resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and stalking. Services include a 24 Hour-Helpline, counseling, legal representation, a confidential safe house, and community outreach and education.
About Walk A Mile in Her Shoes®
Frank Baird created Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® in 2001. What started out as a small group of men daring to totter around a park has grown to become a world-wide movement with tens of thousands of men raising millions of dollars for local rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and other sexualized violence education, prevention and remediation programs.
In 2007, Frank formed Venture Humanity, Inc, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. Venture Humanity, Inc. develops peace, violence prevention and community projects. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is a Venture Humanity, Inc. project. Please help sustain these efforts with your donation.