Athabasca played host to its second annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event last Friday and raised almost $8,000 for the Athabasca and Area Prevention of Relationship Abuse Action Committee (PRAAC).
The event is held all over the world and raises awareness and support for the fight to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence. Men strap on pairs of high heels and go for a walk to show their support for the cause.
Sgt. Brian Scott of the Athabasca RCMP participated wearing his full RCMP uniform, modified by the white high heels he had on his feet.
“I look forward to participating in it next year,” he said. “We deal with gender violence every day, and hopefully awareness will pick up and those numbers will go down.”
PRAAC coordinator Brenda Rosenthal said this year’s event was a big success.
“Last year we raised $1,800,” she said. “This year is … wow.”
The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event is a way for men to take a stand against gender violence, and Rosenthal said the turnout was unbelievable.
“We more than doubled the amount of gentlemen from last year,” she said. “Last year we were out at the multiplex, and while the multiplex is a wonderful facility, we’re out in the public eye on the riverfront, so this year was much better.”
Rosenthal said the cost of running the PRAAC program is expensive.
“The cost to run our program, to take one person to a shelter, costs $400,” she explained. “This program is needed in this community. I started out as part-time, and am now full-time, and am way over full-time hours.
“We need this program,” she said. “It’s well utilized.”
Alex Denonville and Rob Alaeddine were both declared top fundraiser by raising more than $1,300 each. PRAAC also received a donation from Royal Lepage for $5,350.
