Halton Women's Place, which runs an emergency shelter in Burlington, says its Hope in Every Step walk is just over $3,000 short of a record $50,000 in pledges. Donations close Friday, Nov. 13.

The charity had set a $25,000 pledge goal for this year's event and says it has gone well past it.

About 450 people turned out at Spencer Smith Park on Saturday, Nov. 7. Youth sports teams and male allies joined families, friends and coworkers to step out for women and children experiencing abuse.

The final tally isn't in yet. Organizers are still adding up walk-up registrations, the raffle and donations made on site.

Money from Saturday's fundraiser goes to shelters, crisis lines and programs for women and their families. Halton Women's Place runs two emergency short-term shelters in the region, one in Burlington and one in Milton, and offers support around the clock to people in Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills and Oakville. Its 24-hour crisis line at its south shelter is 905-332-7892.

Fortinos, the event's lunch sponsor, fed participants, while Grandmother's Voice and Hawthorne the Band supplied the music. A survivor also shared her story with the crowd.

The charity's next big fundraisers are the Butterfly Gala on Feb. 20, 2027, at the Oakville Conference Centre, and its 16th annual International Women's Day Luncheon on March 11, 2027, at the Holiday Inn Burlington.

To help push this year's total past $50,000, donate by Friday at https://hope-in-every-step-2026.raiselysite.com/donate.