In recognition of February as “Heart Health Month,” Justin Rudd’s nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT) will sponsor a “Red High Heels” walk Saturday, Feb. 19 to raise money for heart-health programs in Long Beach. The walk will begin at noon, with a start/finish at La Strada restaurant, 4716 East 2nd St.
Red heels and non-heels (including shoes spray-painted red) are welcome for the event, for which there will be no charge to participate and no fundraising required. Men, women and youth are welcome and should arrive between 11:30 and 11:50 to sign a liability waiver before the walk. Participants are encouraged to carry signage with heart-health statistics and educational messages.
CAT will donate $10 to local heart-health programs (up to $5,000) for each person who walks the one-mile roundtrip route down the 2nd Street sidewalks in Belmont Shore in red high heels, and $5 if a participant is wearing red non-heels (flats, loafers, athletic shoes, sandals, etc.).Â
“We know that a mile in heels can cause discomfort, but it’s not as painful as a heart attack,” Rudd said. “This is a slow, casual walk to bring awareness. Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a ‘man’s disease,’ it is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. Since 1984, the number of heart disease deaths in women has exceeded those for men.”
Those interested in participating may either RSVP to Justin@JustinRudd.com or just show up on the morning of the walk.Â
