Gilbert and about 550 other men stumbled and wobbled in heels, flip flops and even some knee-high boots in the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an event for Hospitality House, during the noon hour Friday.
Hospitality House is a local facility that provides shelter and services to adult and child victims of family violence. They provide a crisis line, financial support, relocation assistance, counseling, legal advocacy and several other services and resources to victims.
The event is not a fundraiser but is designed to raise awareness about the problem of family violence. The walk began at Heritage Park and moved down Broad Street, ending at Rotary Plaza.
Keith Turner, owner of Velocity Fitness, wore a pair of wedges that made the women swoon. He was honored for the “sexiest legs.” He said, “If I had known that, I would have shaved my legs.”
Joey Graham, who also works at Velocity, wore a pair of white open-toed shoes with men’s black socks, which he said was to prevent blisters.
While he doesn’t aspire to wear them any other time, Graham said he plans to participate in the event next year.
However, the date could change next year. “Historically, over the last five years, we have had it on the lunch break so that it could make it more accessible for the businesses to participate,” said Amy Weaver, executive director of Hospitality House.
Most of the marchers were law enforcement officials who risk their lives in responding to family violence crises.
@TheSeer I believe it's YOU who should be embarrassed for posting this comment, I personally know some of the women who work at the Hospitality House, they are a group of wonderful women who work very hard to provide women and their children a safe haven from domestic violence. I personally have seen the ugly of this violence through a family member and I assure you that the reason several of my friends, my partner and I participated in the event was not for fun but to bring awareness to this often very violent crime... I hope this event continues and grows every year, I see it as.a Way of saying that this type of crime is not welcome nor will be tolerated . I will participate next year and will proudly endure the pain of wearing the shoes.