Every year, Coleman Worldwide Moving, a Dothan moving company, nominates two or three associates to participate in the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Dothan program. During this program, the class is exposed to different areas of the community such as businesses, education, non-profit organizations, health organizations and government operations. One of the program’s primary goals is to encourage participants to take a more active role and become an advocate of the Dothan community. The class is required to select a class fund raising project to initiate and encourage community involvement.
The 2015-16 Leadership Dothan Class elected to support House of Ruth Dothan by participating and raising funds for its annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. The event has garnered some international acclaim and explains its function on its website: “The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence. A Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® Event is a playful opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes, effects and remediation to men's sexualized violence against women.”
During the event, men wear red high heels and walk one mile in those heels through their community. The formal event announcement stated the following through social media and other local publications:
“Leadership Dothan Class of 2016 is hosting Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Apr. 9 to benefit the House of Ruth. This event is intended to raise awareness about the serious causes, effects, and remediation of sexual assault and gender violence. All proceeds will go to the House of Ruth.
Individuals or teams are invited to walk, and the event will offer a playful opportunity for male participants to walk the mile in a pair of women’s high heels. Student registration is $20. Those who pre-register prior to March 15 will receive a free T-shirt. The registration fee is waived for those raising $150 and over. For non-students, registration is $35 or $40 after Apr. 7. Forms and registration fees can be dropped off at the Dothan Chamber of Commerce or at Eagle Eye Outfitters. Sponsorships for the event are also available.”
The event raised $24,300 with all proceeds going to House of Ruth Dothan. The Coleman team took its one step further by becoming a diamond sponsor and running a soup lunch at its corporate headquarters with all funds donated adding to the fundraiser. Coleman’s contributions to this event totaled over $3,300 making this another successful fundraiser for a Leadership Dothan class.
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