Headwaters Park in Ft. Wayne, Indiana was the site for a world record-breaking event — but not the kind you would expect. Nearly 1,000 participants paraded around a rainy Headwaters Park on Saturday morning as part of the third annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser. In the third year of this event, the walkathon broke the world record for the largest group of people to run in high heels.
The activity, which began in 2008 includes men, women and children. Participation has more than tripled since that time. “This is about the entire community coming out to support us,” said Jeanette Dillon of the Women’s Bureau. “We could not have done [the walk] without the support of many, many people.”
The event is held to support REACT, a rape awareness and counseling program sponsored by the Women’s Bureau. The program provides a 24-hour crisis hotline and free counseling services for sexual assault survivors. It also includes education in area schools for rape awareness and prevention.
Event organizers say they expect to make more than $110,000.00 from the walk to support victims in northeast Indiana.
