YWCA’s In Her Heels event raises blisters and awareness
Robert Beasley walked “In Her Heels” on Saturday afternoon and wobbled away a winner.
“I am feeling pretty special,” he said, holding his In Her Heels championship traveling trophy, complete with a black stiletto on top.
Beasley, a local lawyer, was the top vote-getter for the big prize. He and about 30 other men shoved their feet into high heels for the second annual YWCA fundraiser, then walked, er, stumbled, the block around the downtown YWCA building. They collected donations before the event and then accepted cash votes for the various categories during the walk, with all proceeds going to Y programs.
Jeff Sikora of Primetrust Federal Credit Union won the award for Best Legs. The Hottest Heels in Town award went to Ted Baker of Innovation Connector, who donned sparkly red platforms. Truth be told, he only managed about 10 feet before he had to take them off.
“I couldn’t do it,” he said with a grin, making walking motions with his shoes in his hands. He claimed they were too tight.
The Worst Wobble award (which wasn’t accurate because he strutted quite well in his black Target heels) went to Joe Mook of Great Destinations. He admitted he practiced a little bit before the event. “I’m OK on a hard surface, not so good on carpet,” he said with a laugh, before spinning around in his perfectly coordinated ensemble (black Bermuda shorts and suit jacket with a salmon-colored shirt, tie and hat).
The Sassiest Strut award went to Mayor Dennis Tyler, who wore black Payless pumps.
“The proudest moment of my administration,” Tyler joked, holding up his award, which featured a glittery red heel.
Other men stepped out — onto to a red carpet, no less — in everything from leopard print platforms to white wedding pumps (and matching knee-high socks) to sky-high stilettos that many women would have difficulty walking in.
Prominent men in the community and spectators support the YWCA’s “In Her Heels” by walking the block in a pair of women’s shoes. The event saw about 30 men participate. (Photo: Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press)
“I don’t know how they do it,” said local Boy Scouts of America leader Matt Gossage, in his uniform and gold pumps, before the walk even started. “My feet feel horrible already. But it’s worth it. I love this place. Muncie really doesn’t understand what these people do here.”
Mary McCollum has been living at the YWCA since April. “Right now, I am getting my GED, I am working at the Y and taking computer classes,” she said after volunteering at the event, helping the teetering men stay upright. “I’m even going to be moving into my own apartment soon. Really, if it wasn’t for the Y, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
YWCA Executive Director Nance Buchert said the event is a lot of fun, but the reason behind it is serious.
“All of these men walk in heels to help support our women and their children here,” she said. “It also promotes awareness of what we do here at the YWCA. We house about 70 women and children, all the time in our facility, who do not have another place to go. We give them a safe place to stay and give them the programs and the assistance they need to get themselves back on their feet.”
With or without heels.
Source: The Star Press