County men kicked off their boots and strapped on some high heels Thursday night for the second annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Schuylkill County.
The annual event held at Humane Fire Company, 200 Humane Ave., Pottsville, benefits The Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Schuylkill County and is meant to raise awareness in the community about the serious causes, effects and remediation of sexualized violence.
Jenny Murphy Shifflet, president and CEO of SARCC, said that last year the event raised more than $9,000 and they hoped to hit the same amount this year.
All of the funds raised from the event stay with SARCC in Schuylkill County to help victims of sexual violence.
SARCC has been in the county since 2009 and in that time has seen more than 1,000 men, women and children who have been victims of sexual violence.
To maintain those services, Shifflet said they have to do fundraising, such as Thursday night's event.
Prior to the event there were 50 men registered, but Shifflet said they hoped to have more than 100 men walking in women's shoes.
"A lot of people have heard about this event and are going to be waiting on the street for these men to cheer them on," Shifflet said prior to the event.
Wearing an assortment of shoes from red knee high boots to shoes with dice and goldfish in the heels, the men who came out were of all ages from young to old.
Men were encouraged to bring their own high heels, although there were shoes available to borrow.
About 5:30 p.m. and led by a fire truck, the men left the fire company, heading to Centre Street then Market Street and eventually made their way back to Humane for a HEEL party.
Among the men that participated was Chris Figueiredo, Pottsville, who also walked last year.
Figueiredo said that his sister went through a very bitter divorce that caused lots of verbal and mental anguish, so he decided to participate.
"It's for a good cause and it does hit home personally with me," Figueiredo said.
He also said he had a tough time walking in a pair of high heel shoes.
"I give any woman credit walking in heels," he said.
Brian Herring, Pottsville, participated as part of a team, also saying he thought it was a good cause.
"My feet hurt," Herring said after the event. "It's not easy."
There were also prizes and shoe judging.
During the walk, there was a bribe bucket with the men ending up raising $132 from people on the street.
"I think it's important that people know that everyone can do something to end sexual violence, even walk a mile in shoes," Shifflet said. "By taking a step forward and helping, they are making a difference in the community."