Registration and Sponsorships Available for International Men’s March

One of the 2016 Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® teams, Society of Italian American Businessmen, shows their SARC pride.

Men, women and children of all ages are invited to participate in SARC’s 9th annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes®: International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence, taking place on Saturday, April 29, 2017 in downtown Bel Air, Maryland. Organizations around the world are hosting Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® events throughout April to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month. SARC’s goal is to raise $68,000. Harford County Executive Barry Glassman, the Honorary Chair, said, “I am proud to continue the tradition of Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® in Harford County. This unique fundraiser is the opportunity for our community to take a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault, and support victims who need our help.”

This year’s participants have the chance to walk the red carpet, with prizes being offered for best team name, best shoes and highest fundraiser. Although wearing high heels is optional, it is a fun opportunity to literally walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. One in two women and one in five men experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. SARC has a multi-tiered goal with this event: to raise awareness, to provide action steps to combat the problem and to raise funds to provide resources to victims in Harford County.

Among the long-term supporting teams such as Harford Mutual Insurance and TENAX Technologies, competing again this year is Harford County’s philanthropic group the Society of Italian American Businessmen (SIAB). At last year’s event, they raised nearly $10,000, and hope to increase their 2017 fundraising even more. In addition to participating in the Walk A Mile event, SIAB has chosen SARC as their charity of the year.

"I walk not only to raise money to help SARC provide valuable services and resources to the community, but more importantly, to raise awareness about this serious social issue,” says SARC Board Member and Treasurer for SIAB, Eric Rebbert, owner of Express Employment Professionals. “It's really about changing behavior and social norms. It's important that we raise our sons and grandsons to better understand their role and the misperceptions. Sexual assault, spousal abuse, and domestic violence won't end until all men decide to change that behavior."

SARC’s Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® event begins at 9:30 a.m. with onsite registration, shoe sizing, music, refreshments and fun for the whole family. Kickoff announcements and fundraising awards will begin at 10:45 a.m. The walk steps off at 11 a.m. sharp. The walking route leaves from the side of Black Eyed Suzie’s, heads down Main Street, turns onto Bond Street, proceeds to Churchville Rd, and then heads back to its conclusion alongside the Black Eyed Suzie’s restaurant. Black Eyed Suzie’s is opening early for breakfast at 9 a.m. with breakfast sandwiches and full service dining beginning at 10 a.m., with a portion of proceeds benefiting SARC.

SARC’s financial goal is to raise $68,000 through registrations, sponsorships, restaurant fundraisers and peer-to-peer fundraising. To register to walk or to sponsor a walker, visit Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® on SARC’s website (www.sarc-maryland.org) or email jfellman@sarc-maryland.org.

Walk a Mile sponsors to-date include: Harford Mutual Insurance; Decisive Data Systems; Lynch Construction; Fallston Group; Harford’s Heart; Aaron’s Furniture; Jones Junction; Saiontz & Kirk, P.A.; Saxon’s Diamond Centers; APGFCU; Horne Concrete; Innovative Insurance Solutions; Oak Contracting; WSMT Insurance; McComas Funeral Home; Chesapeake Employer’s Insurance; Elegant Restoration; Harford Bank; Shop Rite; Jen Snyder Photography; and Bill Fritz & Sons DJ.