Miami Dolphins’ Cheerleaders help raise $85,000 at the Women In Distress 12th annual ‘SAFEWALK-RUN 5K’
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
December 1, 2010
On a recent Saturday in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, more than 1,200 community members took to the pavement at Markham Park to raise awareness about domestic violence and to raise funds for the much needed programs and services offered by Women In Distress.
The “SAFEWALK” united community leaders, families, student and professional groups, companies, and more, including 61 teams in taking a step to end domestic violence. More than $85,000 was raised in support of the crisis intervention and shelter services offered by Women In Distress.
As honorary chairs of the event, the Miami Dolphins’ Cheerleaders kicked off the morning with their official cheerleader warm-ups for the crowd and spearheaded the eager walkers and runners to the starting line of the race.
Also welcoming the crowd was Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, who spoke of the need for more domestic violence education and prevention. According to the FBI, one in three women is a victim of domestic violence and, in Broward County, domestic violence homicides are on the rise. Fortunately, Women In Distress and its supporters offer hope.
Scattered throughout the race course were red silhouettes, “silent witnesses,” representing each victim who lost their life to domestic violence this past year and participants received event t-shirts that included the Women In Distress crisis line prominently displayed on the back. Helping to make the event possible, key sponsors included JM Family Enterprises, SE Toyota, Sun Sentinel, Panera Bread, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and other dedicated friends of the organization.
The “SAFEWALK” website will remain open through the end of the year, with photos of the event and an opportunity to make a donation active at http://www.safewalk2010.kintera.org.
Women In Distress of Broward County is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center serving Broward County. Their mission is to provide victims of domestic violence with safe shelter, crisis intervention and resources, and to educate the community in order to Stop Abuse For Everyone (SAFE) through intervention, education and advocacy. For more information on Women In Distress of Broward County or to make a donation visit http://www.womenindistress.org.
