Donning red shoes and hitting the pavement, Peterborough community members helped YWCA Peterborough Haliburton surpass its fundraising goal for this year’s “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” event.
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton has announced that Walk A Mile In Their Shoes generated $20,871 for the organization, exceeding its fundraising goal of $20,000. The outcome of the 2024 event brings the total funds raised in support of the YWCA through Walk A Mile to almost $1 million since the walk first took place in Peterborough in 2009.
Tina Thornton, director of philanthropy for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, shared her thoughts with kawarthaNOW about what made the event successful.
“It’s the giving spirit of our amazing community, showing their ongoing support for the YWCA and our mission, that allowed us to reach this incredible goal,” Thornton said. “That includes all of our participants, donors, volunteers, and our corporate and community sponsors, who were a big reason we were able to promote the event so widely across all channels.”
There’s another reason, Thornton said.
“I should also mention the fact that domestic violence and abuse is an epidemic in our community. Not only has it been recognized as such by our city and county councils, but it speaks to the huge numbers of people who have experienced violence first-hand, or know someone who has, and wanted to help others through supporting this event.”
In addition to monetary gifts from donors and sponsors, Walk A Mile In Their Shoes was supported with $48,094 of in-kind value from sponsors to cover the costs of presenting and promoting the event.
“It was amazing to witness so many people stepping up to join us in speaking out about how gender-based violence is impacting our communities and the lives of survivors and their loved ones,” added Kim Dolan, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive director, in a media release.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who gave their time, their donations, and their voices to help make Walk A Mile such a success this year. I truly believe that with the support and engagement of people like you, we can reach our vision of living without violence and fear.”
Proceeds from Walk A Mile In Their Shoes will support the YWCA’s “Journey of Care,” which encompasses each of the signature programs and services offered to the women, children, and gender-diverse people it serves. Community support ensures that a woman who is fleeing gender-based violence not only has a safe place to recover, but also the wrap-around healing programming she needs as she stands on her own, walking her path to the life of her choosing, free from fear and violence, the release noted.
Thornton hopes the event has a lasting impact.
“Our hope really is to continue to raise more awareness about what the YWCA does for women in our community and why it’s so important,” she said. “Ultimately, we hope to build our community contributions even further so that we can help more women and children find their path on their journey to independence and healing after abuse.”
On the heels of the event, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is recognizing its top fundraisers.
The trophy for the top team will be presented to Team Scotia of Scotiabank Kawartha Centre on Hunter Street in Peterborough. Team Scotia members raised $2,588. Scotiabank also announced it will be matching the funds raised, bringing the total for Team Scotia up to $5,176.
John D’Altoe, branch manager for Scotiabank Kawartha Centre, will be awarded the trophy for top individual effort for raising a total of $442.
“We are extremely happy that we are in a position to make an impact in our community,” D’Altoe said. “It is very important for us at Scotiabank to ensure that we are an effective ally, not only in our workplace but also in the communities we live and support. The Walk a Mile in Their Shoes allows us to bring awareness to and help end gender-based violence against women, children and gender-diverse individuals in our community.”
Walk A Mile In Their Shoes is one of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s most popular community events, and returned this year after a four-year hiatus. Around 100 participants, volunteers, sponsor representatives and community supporters gathered at Confederation Park in Peterborough for the May 24 event.
Eight local dignitaries joined Dolan in speaking at the opening ceremony, “sharing their compassion for woman-identified people who have been impacted by violence and abuse in our community,” YWCA Peterborough Haliburton noted.
“Several referenced the declaration of gender-based violence as an epidemic by councils in the city of Peterborough and in Peterborough county in November and December 2023 respectively, and the need to continue working toward the rest of the 86 recommended actions from the final report of the Renfrew Inquest in June 2022.”
The recommendations stem from a coroner’s inquest into the murders of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam in Renfrew County.
