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thecenternow
Walk a Mile in HER Shoes Challenge
What is the “Walk a Mile in HER Shoes Challenge?”
There’s an old saying: “You can’t really understand a person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” Well The Center’s “Walk a Mile in HER Shoes Challenge” does just that! We ask men to walk a mile in women’s high heeled shoes to raise awareness about sexual assault in our community and beyond.
So why high heels? Because every 2 minutes someone is sexually assaulted in the US and unfortunately, sexual assault is a gender based crime where women are most likely the victims. Too often women are blamed for the assault based on what they are wearing such as high heels and short skirts.
Each year, an ever-increasing number of men, women and their families are joining The Center in raising awareness about sexual assault in our community. Our “Walk a Mile in HER Shoes Challenge” is a playful opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes and effects that come from sexual assault.
The Center’s “Walk a Mile in HER Shoes Challenge” is a community event to raise awareness and funds to support and prevent sexual assault in our community. This year really is a challenge. Walkers will be challenged to walk full mile down Main Street in Placerville, California in high heels with the support of their team of supporters and family members.
The event is great for individuals of all ages who can participate in a beautiful walk and post-walk success party! The event is open to the public and we encourage families to attend together. The Center also invites local companies to form teams and get their employees out in the community! It is a great opportunity for employees to gather outside of the workplace with their families, friends, co-workers and clients while making a valuable contribution to their community.
Why sexual assault?
Sexual Assault is happening is our community, and as a community we can decrease the number of assaults and increase the percentage of victims reporting the assault. The FBI estimates that one-in-three women and one-in-six men will be sexually assaulted in their lives. These statistics leave little doubt that most Americans know at least one sexual assault survivor. Last year, The Center helped 272 people affected by sexual assault in our community.
As a community we have a responsibility to create a safe environment. In the past, the responsibility of ending sexual assault has been incorrectly placed on victims by emphasizing risk reduction and personal safety strategies that do not work by themselves. Information, education and action are key components in empowering everyone to be a part of the solution. We need your help to support The Center’s efforts to create a healthier community through teaching children how to form healthy interpersonal relationships and supporting survivors of sexual assault and their families.
Event Information:
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2013
Place: Placerville Town Hall, 549 Main Street, Placerville, CA 95667
Time: 9:30 am Registration starts
10:00 am Team pictures
10:30 am Welcoming Ceremony
11:00 am Walk down Main Street begins
11:30 – 1:00 pm Post “Walk” Success party
Individual Registration Packet
SAAM Sponsor Summary single page
Click HERE to Register, sponsor or donate to the event!
Want to Sponsor a High Profile Walker?
Ron Briggs, El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, District IV
Kevin Brown, Breaker Glass Owner/Operator & and El Dorado Union High School District Board Member
Matt Huckabay, Exexutive Director, The Center for Violence-Free Relationships
John Moalli, Board President, The Center for Violence-Free Relationships; Exponent, Inc.; Lecturer Stanford Univ.
Bill Roby, Executive Director, El Dorado Community Foundation
Vern Pierson, El Dorado County District Attorney
Paul Zappettini. Attorney
So come join the fun and TAKE THE “Walk a Mile in HER Shoes Challenge!” We’ll see you on May 4th!
For more information on registration contact Julie at (530) 626-1450 or JulieS@thecenternow.org.
Need ideas for collecting pledges?
Places to Get Pledges
- Post on your Facebook & MySpace Pages!
- Tweet about it!
- Family, In-laws
- Friends
- Work Cohorts
- School Cohorts
- Business Associates
- Customers
- Vendors
- That lady at the Dry Cleaners
- Ask businesses you frequent regularly for donations (i.e. pet store, fitness center, bike shops, restaurants, etc.)
- Your hair dresser
- Your doctors
- Your dentist, oral surgeon, and whatever-kind-of-tooth Specialist
- Your principal or teachers
- Your insurance company
- Your realtor
- Your car dealer
- Your landlord
- Recreational sports teams
- Your accountant
- Your pet’s Veterinarian
- Neighbors — current, past, your parent’s neighbors
- People on your Christmas Card List
- People at church, at your health club, in your yoga class, etc.
- People you go to the dog park with!
- If you own your own business, keep event information on the counter or the receptionist desk that lets customers/clients/patients know you are participating and that you are looking for sponsors (you might put out a collection can/box or a pledge sheet)
- People who have asked YOU for support
- Check to see if your company has a “matching” gifts program. Encourage your company to match the funds you have raised. This can double your pledges and help you win great prizes.
- Ask your company’s President or CEO to write a letter to other counterparts to create a CEO challenge. Who can raise the most dollars?
- Even ask people that you think WON’T pledge you! Because, you know what? You’re likely wrong and you should let them decide for themselves. No one likes to be left out. Even if they decline to support you, most folks appreciate being asked.
Other Ideas On How To Collect Pledges:
HOLD YOUR OWN BIRTHDAY PARTY! Make it pot-luck and tell your friends you’ll provide the cake …make a note on your invitation “No Gifts Please! Though I’m now accepting pledges for the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Challenge!” The clincher is passing around the pledge sheet at the party too! Works like a charm!
PIES OR ANY SPECIALTY YOU HAVE TO OFFER! Offer to bake a pie of sponsor’s choice for anyone pledging $50 or more!
