Walk A Mile In Her Shoes fundraiser set for Saturday

ALBANY — The fundraiser “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes,” now going into its fifth year in Albany, is taking place Saturday on the track of the Deerfield-Windsor School Upper Campus to help sexual assault victims in Southwest Georgia.

“It’s a national fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for the victims of sexual assault and rape,” said Mary Martinez-Allen, executive director and forensic interviewer with the Lily Pad Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Center.

This year’s walk at the school, located at 2500 Nottingham Way, will start off with registration at 10 a.m. followed by a walk at 11 a.m. During the walk, men will be don red high heels and walk four laps — equivalent to one mile — to show their support for the cause.

“It’s a light-hearted way of getting out the message of ending sexual violence … It’s a way for the community to show its support,” Martinez-Allen said.

There are no registration fees to participate. The walkers help to raise funds by reaching out to family and friends willing to sponsor them and give to the cause, and then present the donations the day of the event.

On a typical year, the event raises $15,000-$25,000 for the Lily Pad.

“We would love to raise $25,000,” Martinez-Allen said.

Any amount is appreciated, but the Lily Pad has challenged walkers to each raise $500. When registering, walkers are expected to indicate their men’s shoe size. Once the event is over, awards will be given out — in the form of a trophy with a heeled shoe on it — for Best Legs, Most Money Raised (for team and individual) and Best Dressed based on the walker’s costume. First, second and third-place awards will go out for Fastest Walker.

A kids’ fun run is also set, for which there will be awards for the fastest boy and the fastest girl, Martinez-Allen said.

“It’s a fun way to bring everyone in the community together,” she said.

To give an idea on the cost of the Lily Pad’s services, which are offered to clients at no charge, it takes $2,500 to provide five sexual assault exams, $500 provides a forensic interview and $1,000 purchases 40 rape kits.

The fact that the event is catered toward men is significant.

“Sexual assault is generally looked as … as it is men that are committing these crimes, but that is not always the case,” the Lily Pad’s director said. “These men are willing to experience something women have to endure to show their support.”

All checks going toward the cause are to be made payable to “The Lily Pad.” All donations are tax deductible. For more information about the event, contact Martinez-Allen at (229) 435-0074 or email [email protected].