April 23, 2013 – Harris, N.Y. – On Saturday, April 20, more than 300 men, women and children walked a mile on Broadway and around the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello at the 3rd Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® to help raise funds for Catskill Regional Medical Center’s (CRMC) Rape Intervention Services and Education (RISE) program of Sullivan County.
The event, which is the international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence, featured a speaking program and reception after the walk, and yielded more than $25,000 from walkers, fundraisers and event sponsors. Guest speakers included Fred Kuriger, CEO for CRMC; Jim Farrell, Sullivan County District Attorney; Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Senator John Bonacic.
“This year’s event exceeded all of our expectations,” said Sarah Dittmar, RISE Program Manager. “We grew from 125 to 300 walkers and our committee worked very hard to make it a success. I would like to personally thank our Co-Chairs, Barbara and Richard Sush for all of their hard work, along with the rest of the committee. Raising the funds for this program is important, but the awareness this event creates is even more significant. We appreciate all of the assistance we received, and thank our sponsors, fundraisers and walkers who participated this year.”
RISE advocates for anyone who is or has been a survivor of sexual abuse. Founded in 1987, RISE provides an array of services to victims of sexual abuse and offers prevention education, advocacy and assistance to victims, and accompanies them to the hospital, police or district attorney after an incident. RISE also offers confidential individual, family or couples counseling as well as support groups and professional training sessions. The RISE program is funded by grants, in part provided by the Sullivan County Rural Health Network.
For more information about RISE, contact Sarah Dittmar at CRMC, 845-794-3300 ext. 2442. Donations are still being accepted and can be made through the RISE page at www.crmcny.org
A member of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System, Catskill Regional Medical Center is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care to residents in the Sullivan County region. For more information, call 845-794-3300 or visit www.crmcny.org.
