For many of the women standing to the side catcalling and hollering, it was a hilarious to see full-grown men don red heels and strut their stuff. PARTNERS Family Services (PFS) held their first Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event on June 10 with more than 125 people registering.
“It was awesome. We had no idea what to expect. We were hoping for a big number, but this is more than we expected,” said Rachel Trann, executive director of PFS. “The community support was so amazing. It went as smooth as it possibly could. We had volunteers, we had people fundraising, community donations, and sponsors. It’s been awesome.”
Between the donations and financial support from individuals, businesses, and the community, PFS raised over $40,000. The money will be reinvested back into the organization to support and enhance current programming.
They hosted this event to raise awareness and money for violence against women, which is why they tried to focus on male participation. It was part of their second annual Community Rising Gala event and welcomed Amanda Lindhout to Humboldt on the same day. She gave a speech to high school students in the afternoon and then another to the adults at a banquet held in the evening at the Uniplex.
Lindhout spoke about her experience in Somalia where she was kidnapped, tortured, and held prisoner for 15 months alongside photojournalist Nigel Brennan.
“I think events like this bring attention to some issues that are difficult to talk about, whether it’s gender violence, violence against women, discrimination, bullying, or just violence generally. I think this brings attention to those issues,” said Mayor Malcolm Eaton. “We’re supporting a cause here and I think it’s an important piece of what we want Humboldt to become.”
Despite the seriousness behind the event, that didn’t stop anyone from having fun during the walk. They wobbled, they limped, they hobbled, and they even strutted their way up and down Main Street. Men and women alike from as far as Muenster, Lake Lenore, and Watson came to Humboldt to take pictures and videos and laugh at the rare sight.
“I expected some sore feet and I definitely got them,” said Chris Chegus, a participant and the winner of Most Individual Pledges. “It was difficult. The first lap was all right, but after that it got very difficult. The blisters started to come through and they’re hurting.”
Chegus raised roughly $1,100 through a bake sale and a smokie sale and an additional $400 through individual pledges. He had pledge sheets put up at his work as well as in Watson and Quill Lake.
“Any time you can bring awareness to a situation that’s just godly awful, I think we all need to do our part in that aspect,” said Chegus. “It’s too bad we couldn’t get the people that are actually causing or doing the abuse to get out here and wear these heels for the rest of their lives; maybe then they’d stop what they’re doing and understand what they’re doing is completely wrong.”
