Men will don women's shoes for the fifth Walk a Mile in Her Shoes charity event to raise awareness for sexual violence in Pottsville later this month.
Schuylkill County Controller Christy Joy put on his black and red, size 12 high heels Wednesday at the courthouse.
"I have strutted around the courthouse for practice," he said, adding that he received many comments.
Joy, at 5 feet 11 inches, said wearing the approximate 4-inch heels will be a bit of a challenge.
This is his first time walking in the event, he said, and he is walking for the women in his life.
Joy rented shoes for the event. His wife, Heather, didn't have the size to fit his feet, he joked.
His office staff is supportive of the idea and has pledged money for Joy.
"I think it's great. He's going to do good," Roberta Felty, account receivable clerk in the controller's office, said.
About 10 men have registered for the event.
Everyone is invited to walk to show support for the event's cause, Jenny Murphy-Shifflet, Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Schuylkill County president/CEO, said.
"I know some of them (the men) are walking for someone special in their lives," she said Tuesday.
The goal is to raise $10,000, she said.
More than $7,000 was raised during the event last year, and there were about 90 participants.
Walkers will start between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. and walk down Laurel Boulevard, onto Centre Street, up Market Street and then to the fire company.
Jeff Colarossi, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, is going to slip on shoes for the event.
"I do it because I think it's not something that gets a whole lot of attention, the problem," he said Tuesday about sexual violence.
He's open to whatever he can do to help including wearing shoes he would normally not wear.
Colarossi said he has spoken to people who have dealt with the issue in their lives and referred them to SARCC.
"It is an issue. It is an issue in Schuylkill County," he said.
The event benefits the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Lebanon and Schuylkill counties and kicks off at 4:30 p.m. April 24 at the Humane Fire Company, 200 Humane Ave. Murphy-Shifflet said all the money from the event stays in the county to help those in need.
Registration is not needed before the event but is encouraged. The cost is $10, and shoes are available for a $5 fee. To register, call 570-628-2965.