YWCA of Hawaii Island will hold its 14th annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.
Men from across the county will march in high heels — or other fabulous footwear — in solidarity against rape, sexual assault and gender violence, raising funds and awareness for YWCA’s Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) program.
Honorary Lead Walkers include Mayor Mitch Roth, HFD Chief Kazuo Todd, HPD Maj. Scott Amaral, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen and radio deejay Darrin “DC” Carlson, who will also emcee the event. They’ll start at YWCA headquarters at 145 Ululani St., bravely marching a careful and colorful mile through downtown Hilo.
While fun, funny and sometimes even outrageous, the walk’s real purpose is to acknowledge and support the many sexual assault survivors in our Big Island community.
“Sexual assault is one of the most traumatic things that can happen to a person, but despite the #MeToo movement and other societal advances, it’s still so hard for people to talk about,” YWCA CEO Kathleen McGilvray said in a press release. “We march to break the silence, build resilience and let victims know that Sexual Assault Support Services is here to help.”
The public is invited to fundraise, sponsor, donate and walk with family, friends, clubs, businesses or solo. There are prizes for top fundraisers and best-decorated shoes.
Register to walk or donate at www.ywcaofhawaiiisland.org.
Event sponsors include Big Island Delights, Big Island Toyota, Day-Lum Realty, Deluz Chevrolet, Hawaiian Electric, HFS Federal Credit Union and KTA Super Stores.
For more than 40 years, YWCA of Hawaii Island has provided SASS services for both victims and survivors — including women, men, girls and boys ranging from age 90 to less than a year old. The agency’s free, islandwide services include the county’s only 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline at (808) 935-0677, a Medical Forensic Exam Program, and counseling support for the survivor and family members.
SASS responds to approximately 2,150 crisis and support calls from or on behalf of victims of sexual violence per year.
