Walk a Mile raises over $5000 for Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre

Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Fire Chief Jay Melvin tries raising another pledge for the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre during the first period of the Bonnyville Pontiacs game on Friday night for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.

The Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre is calling their third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event a big success.

Local elected officials including Gene Sobolewski and councillor Chad Colbourne, BRFA fire chief Jay Melvin, and fellow public safety officers donned red high-heels during last Friday’s Bonnyville Pontiacs game and raised $5266 for the crisis centre.

“We’re really pleased and really grateful to everyone who participated, the Bonnyville Pontiacs, and everyone who donated to support the cause,” said Cindy Yang, resource development coordinator at the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes participants

The walk was for men to show solidarity against domestic and family violence.

“First of all, it’s a great cause,” said Bonnyville Pontiacs Coach and GM Rick Swan.

“I was a policeman for 26 years in the Edmonton Police Service. Back when I started as a young guy, you saw so many cases of domestic violence and violence against women that it wasn’t as important as it is now. The awareness wasn’t there. It was something I cringed going into. It was something I hated to see, but to see now full-circle 35 years later… that important people within our town care, it’s something that’s important within our society.

“For us to have our Bonnyville Pontiacs organization involved with the great role models we’ve got playing on the ice, it really magnifies that awareness. I just think it’s a great cause. I’m proud to see the Fire Chief and Emergency Services and the Mayor, prominent people in the community standing up and making sure that everybody understands that it’s unacceptable. Violence is unacceptable in our society, violence against women is unacceptable and the awareness aspect of it is tremendous and we’re privileged to be a part of it,” said Swan.

Town councillor Chad Colbourne said he was happy to be a part of such a great cause and to raise money for the crisis centre.

“A lot of people were really surprised I could put on heels and walk around. I probably could’ve danced with those things all night,” he joked.

The Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre provides safe shelter and support to women, men, and children who are in crisis.