ABAC baseball team members having a good time during the walk.

TIFTON — Every October, Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House hold a “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event as a fun way to raise awareness about domestic violence and the importance of the role of men, young men in particular, to step up and be aware of the issue.

This is an international event where men walk a literal mile wearing women’s high-heeled shoes as a way to get the community talking about gender relations and men’s sexualized violence against women. The walkers take a pledge that they will honor women in their relationships and avoid any kind of violence and control in their relationships.

This year’s walk, while not boasting the largest crowd, did have the most money raised.

There were approximately 125 people signed in at the event and they raised $6,678.10, all of which goes to support the work that Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House do in the community.

The individual who raised the most money was Dave Wilbur.

The team that raised the most money was the City of Tifton. Collectively, the team raised $2,018.10.

Sergeant Ferron Yi with the Tifton Police Department said that this year was the fifth year first responders have participated in the walk.

“It’s a good organization and a great resource for victims to utilize,” Yi said when asked why participation was important. “Coming together to raise money for a good cause is a wonderful thing. It shows that we care, that this is important to us.”

The ABAC baseball team and the Alpha Gamma Rho-Gamma Delta Chapter made a good showing, along with the Tiftarea Academy baseball team and the Tift County High School baseball team.

The Georgia Public Safety Training Center ABAC cadets participated as well, many of them wearing heels or carrying signs.

There were also many individuals who participated on their own.

Sponsors for the event were Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, ABAC Stallions baseball team, Tift Regional Health Systems, ABAC chapter of the Georgia Association of Nursing Students, Roger Dill and The Howard Center. Papa John’s provided pizza after the event for the participants.