Update 2 - 9/16/2019

What an event the fundraiser was! Thank you to all of the business and folks who donated auction items. Tres Ninos, Grazie, Jacks Hot Dogs, Berkshire Emporium, Where'd You Get That!?, Spring Street Deli, Berkshire Palate, the awesome movie basket, and toiletry basket!  

Thanks to Brandon Horn for cooking. And thanks to Luke Tobin, Dylan Girouard and Sam Boyden for providing the tunes. 

Thanks to the Greylock Community Club for allowing us to host the event there, and letting me behind the bar in my heels to guest bartend.

Thanks to all of YOU who came and supported the event.

We raised $665! That brings our total to $2.251 with four days to spare! My feet hurt, but I am eager for Thursday to come to see how much we raise! 

Can we hit $2,511? That would be wild to pass the initial goal by $1.000!  We shall see! 

Thanks again for all of your support! 

-CH

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Update 1 - 9/7/2019

Wow, I am floored by the support. We hit our goal (and then some) with over a week to spare and our fundraising ( now also a celebration ) event still to come (Walk a Mile Fundraiser at the Greylock Community Club). My stretch goal is going to be 2019 to commemorate the fundraising accomplishment this year. Let's keep the momentum rolling!! Thanks to everyone who has helped things get this far!

-CH

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This is my 5th year walking "a mile in her shoes", and my 4th year fundraising for it. Over the 3 past years you have helped me to raise $3,885 with $1,510 of that coming from just last year. All of these funds go to support the Elizabeth Freeman Center, an amazing organization that provides resources and aid to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Berkshire County (of any gender). My goal each year is to pass the total from my previous year, so in 2019 we are aiming for $1,511+! We can do it!

Thank you for supporting me this year and in years past. I can't do it without you! Sharing with friends, small donations that add up, it all makes a big difference in the end.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

This topic is near and dear to my heart. This event helps us to take a hard thing to talk about and march down North Street projecting a clear stance in opposition to such an act.  It helps start the discussion for families in attendance, and it sets a good example for anyone who may need it.  Though this event is in good fun, it is not meant to enforce the stereotype that all victims of domestic and sexual violence are femme/wearing heels. Violence such as this affects people of all genders and is statistically higher in populations of people with marginalized identities. While we hold space for those survivors, I also walk for my fellow male survivors who may not always feel heard or supported.  To all of my fellow survivors. I see you. I hear you. I walk with you.

Will you walk with me? 

Sincerely,

CH

Join Elizabeth Freeman Center's 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault, and Gender Violence!

Five domestic violence murders in three years have rocked Berkshire County and are tragic reminders that every case of domestic violence can be a matter of life and death. #Metoo continues to raise survivor voices exposing the horrifying levels of sexual violence and demanding accountability and change.

WE IN THE BERKSHIRES ARE TAKING ACTION! Violence is preventable! For our children, families, neighbors, co-workers, our community- JOIN US!

On September 19, 2019, hundreds of passionate community members will take to the street, donning symbolic footwear, to literally walk one mile down North Street united to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence. We gather at the corner of North Street and Columbus Avenue. Participants can register online. People can also register on the day of the event beginning at 5:00 pm. Look for the many red tents. There is no entry fee to walk, but participants are encouraged to raise funds to support Elizabeth Freeman Center's services to address and stop sexual assault and domestic violence. 

All are welcome to participate- people of all ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, and abilities.

Violence affects us all... our children, our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, our community, and our future. Come add your voice (and your feet!) to those calling for change. Together we are making a difference. EFC depends on these much-needed funds.  Let's make 2019 the best Walk a Mile yet!

A special thanks to our 2019 event underwriters:

Onyx Specialty Papers
Iredale Cosmetics
Annie Selke Companies
Berkshire Health Systems
Health New England
Berkshire Bank Foundation
Haddad Dealerships of the Berkshires
Greylock Federal Credit Union
J.H. Maxymillian, Inc.
Black Rock Foundation
Lee Bank
Blue Q
Unistress
Pittsfield UNICO
Rotary Club of Pittsfield
Adams Community Bank
Berkshire OB/GYN
NBT Bank
Cain Hibbard & Myers, PC
Guido's Fresh Marketplace
Crescent Creamery
Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook, LLP
Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLC
Interprint, Inc.
Only in my Dreams Events, LLC
Scarafoni Financial Group (ST Insurance Agency)
East Elm Pediatrics
GB Eats

Other corporate sponsors: 

Hill Engineers, Architects, Planners, Inc.
Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, Inc.
Adelson & Company PC
Teton Management Corporation
Berkshire Orthodontics, PC

Thank you for joining us to Rise Together for Safety and Justice.

Violence is a community problem and together we are part of a community movement to end domestic, sexual, and dating violence.

Please join us as we walk. Because of COVID, we will still have smaller walks. We currently have walks scheduled in Williamstown, North Adams, Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Lee and Lenox. See the full schedule and routes HERE.

When COVID hit, we never closed our doors, and Elizabeth Freeman Center continues to provide needed services to survivors and others in the community. No one deserves to be abused, raped, or assaulted. 

Every hour of every day, Elizabeth Freeman Center provides lifesaving, life-renewing help to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families. 

Each year we reach over 3,000 people from almost every city, town, and hamlet in Berkshire County and  we know that we are only scratching the surface. During COVID-19, calls to our hotline increased over 40%. We are seeing situations more dangerous and difficult than ever before. 

Elizabeth Freeman Center has offices in Pittsfield, North Adams, and Great Barrington, and staff at Probate and Family Court, Northern Berkshire District Court, Southern Berkshire District Court, Central Berkshire District Court, and the Adams and Pittsfield police departments. Our staff can meet people in safe locations almost anywhere in Berkshire County. We can provide transportation to help you reach us.

Call us for help – we are here for you. If you know someone who needs help, we can give you information.
Whoever we are, however we look, wherever we go – we all deserve safety and justice.

#RiseTogether #WhyWeRise

• Fundraiser at Greylock Community Club donated $665.00 September 16, 2019 ... "Thank you to everyone and all the businesses who supported this event! "
• Al's Auto Body Works donated $301.00 August 30, 2019 ... "Christopher, We are so proud of you! Thank you! Way to rock the Heels!"
• Katie Mace donated $100.00 September 7, 2019
• Marilyn Sutcliffe donated $100.00 July 18, 2019 ... "Thank you, Christopher!"
• L Bennett donated $50.00 September 17, 2019 ... "Those heals are not made for walking...but thanks for doing this!!! :)"
• The Ciechanowskis donated $50.00 September 7, 2019 ... " Best of luck Chris! So proud of your efforts! Thanks for walking xo"
• Brenda donated $50.00 September 6, 2019 ... "💜💜💜"
• Devin donated $50.00 July 30, 2019 ... "<3"
• Alisa & Tom Bullard donated $50.00 July 25, 2019
• Lucy donated $50.00 July 23, 2019 ... "Awesome Chris - good luck!"
• Larry and Marjorie Hantman donated $50.00 July 22, 2019 ... "Proud of you Chris."
• Lori Burke donated $50.00 July 19, 2019 ... "Go get ‘em Chris!!"
• Rachel Reynolds donated $50.00 July 5, 2019 ... "Love what you do for this cause which affects so many. ❤️"
• Mom & Rich donated $50.00 June 28, 2019 ... "Chris, we are so proud of you for your dedication to this program. Love you!"
• Jakkie Centolanza donated $39.00 July 16, 2019
• Spencer Moser donated $30.00 September 13, 2019
• Sam Krumholz donated $25.00 September 17, 2019 ... "See you at the walk!"
• Auntie Fraaah donated $25.00 September 7, 2019 ... "Rock those heels!"
• Kelley Higgins donated $25.00 September 7, 2019 ... "What a wonderful cause!"
• Nancy Ross donated $25.00 September 6, 2019
• The Lau's donated $25.00 September 4, 2019
• Greg donated $25.00 August 23, 2019
• Heidi Riello donated $25.00 August 16, 2019
• Janet Prizio donated $25.00 July 27, 2019 ... "Good Luck! You are helping so many people! Thank you!"
• Tracy Desautels donated $25.00 July 25, 2019
• natasha antona donated $25.00 July 23, 2019
• Mersh donated $25.00 July 19, 2019 ... "Good luck Chris!!"
• Todd donated $25.00 July 19, 2019 ... "YAAAAAAS! Proud and thankful you do this. Keep it up!"
• Debbie Bridges donated $25.00 July 5, 2019 ... "You make your old aunt proud."
• E Mullett jr donated $25.00 July 5, 2019 ... "Good job brother "
• Carolyn donated $20.00 September 17, 2019 ... "good job Chris!"
• The Rivers tribe donated $20.00 September 16, 2019 ... "We love you Christopher! Thank you for walking!❤"
• April Wright donated $20.00 September 16, 2019
• Ron Goss donated $20.00 September 7, 2019
• Samantha donated $20.00 September 7, 2019 ... "Get it!!!!"
• Tonya Wood donated $20.00 September 5, 2019
• Billsville donated $20.00 September 5, 2019 ... "I suggest going back to flats. YOU'LL DESTROY YOUR BACK. "
• Cindy Noel donated $20.00 September 5, 2019
• Tim Callahan donated $20.00 July 16, 2019
• Joanne Hurst donated $20.00 July 16, 2019
• Marjorie & Dan Connors donated $20.00 July 5, 2019 ... "Thank you!"
• Nancy donated $15.00 September 19, 2019
• Jeremy Lapier donated $15.00 August 7, 2019
• Erin Milne donated $11.00 July 17, 2019
• anonymous donated $11.00 June 27, 2019
• Alex donated $10.00 September 15, 2019 ... "Go Chris!!"
• anonymous donated $10.00 September 12, 2019 ... "ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ehhhhhhhhhhhh"
• Jakkie Centolanza donated $10.00 August 24, 2019
• anonymous donated $9.00 July 16, 2019
• Jackie donated $5.00 July 19, 2019 ... "Good luck! "