What: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

When: Thursday, October 8,

registration will begin at 11:45 am,

we will walk at noon

Where: Driggs City Center Plaza

Cost: $10 to walk, walkers under 12 are free

Contact: www.familysafetynetwork.info, or call 208-354-8057

 Local valley guys will put their manhood, and their ankles, on the line when they slip into outrageous women’s high heels and parade Main Street in Driggs to support local victims of sexual assault served by Family Safety Network.

Everyone is invited to participate in the Family Safety Network’s 7th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes set for Thursday, October 8.

The Walk a Mile is Family Safety Network’s premier community awareness and fundraiser event. The event will take place on Thursday, October 8 at the Driggs City Center Plaza. Registration will begin at 11:45 a.m., and the walk begins at noon. Participants can borrow a pair of FSN pumps, or bring your own. The cost is $10 to walk, and everyone is encouraged to raise donations through sponsors. Walkers under 12 are free.

According to Family Safety Network Interim Director Emily Bilcher, last year’s showing of almost 100 men (and women) wearing platform, sequined and leopard skin shoes demonstrated their support for local victims. Among the shoes, miniskirts, wigs and painted toenails was the strong message that physical and sexual violence of women and children will not be tolerated in Teton Valley. Family Safety Network serves more than 300 clients every year and their clients are people that you know: neighbors, classmates, friends, people from your churches and places of work.

“It is an incredible privilege to partner in the mission of ending domestic violence and sex assault and serving those who suffer from it,” said Bilcher. “This is not just some hypothetical cause – the hidden violence in our community is real and everyone has the opportunity through Walk A Mile to recognize it, bring awareness to it, and raise money to stop it!”

And don’t worry if heels aren’t your style —you can also walk in sneakers if you are more comfortable, you can create a team to walk together, or join a team that a friend has started. You can register online or at the FSN office and make a donation on your own fundraising page, or directly to Family Safety Network. Please visit our website at www.familysafetynetwork.info to get started. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call 208-354-8057.

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes is a trade marked international event inspired by the saying, “You can’t understand a person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” According to event founder Frank Baird of California, gender violence affects one in three women during their lifetime, which means someone a man cares about has been or could be a victim.

Family Safety Network is thankful to community sponsors who have already committed to the Walk a Mile event including the Teton Valley News, Teton Valley Healthcare, Sue’s Roos, All Seasons Resort Realty, Wilkinson Montesano, Grand Valley Lodging, Sage Realty and Grand Targhee Resort — businesses and organizations that are going above and beyond to end domestic violence and sexual assault in Teton Valley.

This article appeared on the Teton Valley News website on October 4, 2015.

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