By Mary Beth Corcoran – Special to the Sydenham Current
Walking, with some wobbling, 45 men and their families gathered Sunday June 3 in red high heels at the Downtown Chatham Centre to raise money and awareness of the issue of violence against women, bringing in about $10,000 for the cause.
This year is the 10th anniversary for Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event and will also be the 40th anniversary coming up in October for the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre, according to CKWC Executive Director Karen Hunter.
“It’s considered a signature event for us as not just a fundraiser but a public awareness event so we try to get as many men out here to promote the fact there’s gender-based violence against women and we want to end that in our community,” Hunter explained. “By doing this event we are drawing some attention to what is actually happening in our community and how we need to end it.”
Hunter said each year, the shelter has approximately 2,000 women, children and men who use its services, and the effort by the men who raise the funds for Walk a Mile are much appreciated.
“We quite often have the same group of guys coming out every year and we’re getting new guys each and every year,” Hunter added.
The honourary chair this year, Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn, donned the red heels, along with Deputy Fire Chief Chris Case, MPP Rick Nicholls and MP Dave Van Kesteren, leading the group around the mall with Town Crier George Simmons. International Plowing Match mascot Tobe-Cobe Jr. was also on hand to put on the heels and take pictures with participants.
The CKWS operates a 24-hour emergency shelter with support services in Chatham, as well as a 24-hour crisis and support line, individual and group counselling for women, children’s intervention and school-based programs addressing dating violence, self-esteem programs and second-stage housing called Nancy’s Place.
Hunter said the majority of funding comes from the province for operating costs, as well as a small portion of United Way funding for school-based programs, so donations are very welcome to provide necessities for women starting over.
She said donations of small appliances, bedding, pillows, clothing, children’s items, and other household items are always needed and welcomed. Larger items like furniture are needed as well but due to limitations with storage, Hunter said they match donors with families in immediate need.
For more information on the CKWC or to donate, please go to ckwc.ca or call 519-354-6360.
This story originally appeared in the Chatham Voice, here.
