JANESVILLE, WI – In just two weeks, six Jets players and two staffers will swap the skates for stilettos in a fundraising effort for the YWCA of Rock County.
The 12th annual event raises money to help women and children affected by domestic violence. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes asks men to literally walk one mile in women’s high-heeled shoes as a means to raise funds and awareness within a community about the serious causes, effects, and remediations to men’s sexualized violence against women.
August’s Walk a Mile will be the Jets’ fifth appearance, and will be the team’s largest group of walkers yet.
With a team fundraising goal of $1,000, Sean Driscoll, Matt Hanewall, Garrett Nieto, Logan Ommen, John Pesek, and Jack Vincent will join front office staffers Kevin Meegan and Mason Lyttle in an eight-man walking team.
Fans are encouraged to donate to either the team or their favorite player by visiting the team’s donation page on the YWCA website.
As of Friday afternoon, Sean Driscoll ($320) leads Jets walkers in fundraising. Driscoll also starred in a promotional video produced by Janesville’s own Drywater Productions last month.
The event kicks off a busy transition from summer to fall on the team’s community calendar. While players don’t report until late August, those within driving distance frequently return for events like Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the Pomp’s Tire Charity Car Show, the Westgate Corridor Block Party, and the Bert Blain Memorial Heart Walk.
“These pre-season community events are really important to us,” said Meegan, the Jets’ Director of Community Outreach. “They give us an opportunity to reconnect with community leaders after our offseason, and they give our returning veterans an opportunity to set an example to incoming rookies. Being a Jet means being an involved member in our community. We’re excited to set a new team record in fundraising for the Walk a Mile event. We can’t do it without the support from our fans.”
