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Men to "Walk a Mile in her Shoes'
Event benefits Family Haven
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Forsyth County News

If you’re going

What:

 

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser for Family Haven domestic violence shelter

• When:

 

 

• Where:

 

 

• Cost:

 

 

$25 for men taking part, and they must provide their own women’s shoes; free for observers

• For more information, visit www.walkamileforsyth.com

Around the Forsyth County Courthouse in downtown Cumming
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; walk begins at 11:30 a.m.

A group of brave men will don women’s shoes for a good cause this weekend.

The Forsyth County Domestic Violence Force will hold "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

Leslie Dinkins, an organizer of the event, said all proceeds will go to Family Haven, which operates a shelter and other programs for local victims of domestic violence.

While this will be the first time for the shoe event in Forsyth, Dinkins said Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is popular in other locations.

"It’s an international campaign that’s done in lots of different places all over the world," she said.

She said local organizers were inspired by the event held in Rome.

"They do it every year for their shelter and it’s very successful," Dinkins said.

On Saturday, men will put on women’s shoes and walk around the Forsyth County Courthouse.

"At first we were pushing for them to wear heels, and we’d still prefer if they wore heels, but they can wear any woman’s shoe," she said.

She also pointed out that despite the name of the event, the length of the walk is not a mile.

"Really it’s less than half a mile," she said.

Men pay a $25 fee and provide their own shoes. Or, Dinkins said, the fee can be paid by a "sponsor."

"We’ve had a lot of people pay the fee for their buddy or someone they work with to walk," she said.

Walkers can sign up Saturday beginning at 11 a.m., with the walk beginning about 11:30.

Awards will be presented for most graceful, most challenged and best shoes.

Kids are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and get their faces painted.

"We thought we’d also give parents a chance for a second wearing out of their kids’ costumes," she said.

The stepfather of a domestic violence victim will speak, addressing the importance of men supporting victims and awareness programs, and there will also be vendors.

Survivors of domestic violence are invited to come and support the event, wearing purple in honor of domestic violence awareness month.

Dinkins said some 2,800 victims of domestic violence have been served by various agencies in Forsyth County so far this year. In 2010, that number was closer to 3,200.

"We’re trying to make a lighthearted event out of a heavy-hearted happening," Dinkins said.

 

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