ASHLEY TOMASZEWSKI | STAFF REPORTER

Butler’s Alpha Chi Omega hosted its annual Walk a Mile philanthropy event on April 2 to support the Julian Center and create awareness about domestic violence.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is a national organization founded by Frank Baird in 2001. Since then, the event has experienced tremendous growth and an increased interest and involvement by both men and women.

The Julian Center helps to serve the magnitude of women and children suffering from domestic abuse. All proceeds of the event are donated by Alpha Chi Omega to the Julian Center.

“Walk a Mile is one of my favorite events because students from Butler, speakers from the Julian Center, and sisters of Alpha Chi Omega are able to come together to support the philanthropy,” said sophomore Meredith Hunter-Mason, a sister of Alpha Chi Omega.

Men and women alike showed up and walked the walk on Saturday to show support for the Julian Center and victims of domestic violence. The success of the event this year was remarkable, with more than $1,400 collected for the Julian Center.

“I’m out walking because this is an issue I really support. I think that it’s important for all of campus to get involved with this event,” sophomore Patrick Mosby said.

Walk a Mile helps to reinforce that domestic violence is not only a women’s issue. Sexualized violence is an epidemic, impacting not only the women and children victimized but the men who care about them as well as their friends, family and communities.

“It’s important that Alpha Chi Omega is able to put this event on at Butler because domestic violence is an issue that affects people everywhere-including Butler,” said sophomore Julia Guiheen, a sister of Alpha Chi Omega.

Walk a Mile is more than an event. It’s a way of bringing awareness and action to an issue in need of it-domestic violence. Walk a Mile is a way to show support to all victims of domestic violence, while taking the next “step” to creating a better future.