SARC Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Fundraiser

SARC?s 7th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® fundraiser, takes place on Saturday, April 25 in downtown Bel Air. The event challenges men to walk a mile in high heels to benefit SARC, the Harford County organization that helps area victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking. Women, children and groups are also invited to participate. SARC Executive Director Luisa Caiazzo says, ?Area businesses have really rallied behind this year?s Walk a Mile challenge, and the event would not be possible without their generous support.? Sponsors include: Chesapeake Employers Insurance, the Baltimore Ravens, Healthcare Information Edge, The Regent at Stone House, Harford County Public Library, Jen Snyder Family Photographer and Donohue Hart Financial Group. Additional sponsors for Walk a Mile and other SARC fundraisers this year include Harford Mutual Insurance Co., Harford?s Heart, Aaron?s, JigSaw Marketing Solutions, Ciampaglio Potter Associates (CPA), Innovative Insurance Solutions, Oak Contracting, Harford Bank and Harford Community College. In addition, MaGerk?s Grill and Pub and Main Street Oyster House are hosting ?after parties? following the walk, and have volunteered to donate 15% of sales from their events to SARC. The Bel Air walk is part of a worldwide effort to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and many other organizations are hosting Walk a Mile in Her Shoes challenges throughout April. SARC hopes to raise $50,000 from their event this year. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and registration for teams and individuals remains open through the day of the event. (Walkers can register the day of the race.) This year?s Walk a Mile begins and ends on the parking lot next to Main Street Oyster House. The route proceeds north on Main Street, crosses Gordon Street and returns south along Bond Street passing MaGerk?s on the return trip. The schedule of the day?s events includes: 9:30 a.m. Sign in for pre-registered walkers and onsite registration opens, along with shoe fittings for male participants. (Individuals who raise more than $500 and teams that raise more than $1,000 will be presented with flip-flops in lieu of high heels.) Refreshments available for all walkers. 10:30 a.m. Opening remarks by SARC CEO Luisa Caiazzo, Harford County government representatives and others 10:45 a.m. Warm up line dance to limber up participants 11:00 a.m. Walk start The awards ceremony begins at 11:30 where bedazzled shoe ?trophies? will be presented for Top Fundraiser, Individual; Top Fundraiser, Team; Best Team Name and Best Shoes. County Executive Barry Glassman, who is serving as the event?s Honorary Chair, has been involved with Walk a Mile since it first came to Harford County. He says, ?I support this event because I feel by participating, men make a statement about ending violence against women. I believe that the community as a whole has a responsibility to raise awareness about this very serious issue, and I am proud to be this year?s honorary chair. I encourage others to take a stand against violence and come ?Walk a Mile in Her Shoes? with me on April 25th.? To sign up or sponsor a walker or for more information, visit the event page at www.sarc-maryland.org.