In Christy’s Shoes is an organization that puts a different meaning behind the phrase “take a walk in someone’s shoes.” The annual benefit was started in 2009 by Katrina Zidel in memory of her identical twin sister Christy Levy Peters.
Peters passed away at the age of 34 from astrocytoma, an inoperable terminal brain tumor. Christy left a positive memory on her husband and two children as well as all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Katrina had one of the closest relationships with Christy and wanted to honor the memory of her courageous and outgoing sister. Looking to Christy’s life she saw her love for shoes almost matched her love for helping others. Katrina sought to memorialize both, thus starting In Christy’s Shoes.
In Christy’s Shoes partnered up with Dress for Success Columbus, a non-profit organization that provided under privileged women seeking to get back into the workforce resources, clothing and shoes. Over the years, In Christy’s Shoes has become the biggest annual fundraiser for Dress for Success Columbus bringing in over about 500 people and $40,000 in 2012.
The event first started as a place for people to donate their clothing and shoes but has now progressed into a gala. The gala features food that is donated by restaurants, a shoe fashion show and a silent auction. Celebrities from around the country have donated autographed shoes to be auctioned such as Jessica Simpson, Kim Kardashian and Eva Longoria.
May 22nd of this year was the 4th annual In Christy’s Shoes event and was hosted at Charles Preparatory School. The event hosted around 650 guests and featured famous shoe designer Aruna Seth.
What started off as a small memorial fundraiser has now turned into a larger organization. The first fundraiser in 2009 featured 75 guests and this year’s event has multiplied its guests 8 times over.
Zidel began donating some of the proceeds from the event to Zusman Hospice at Wexner Heritage Village where her sister had passed away. She hopes the event will continue to grow and spread to other cities outside of Columbus so that she can start furthering her donations and even start funding scholarships. If you have any interest in attending or donating to Zidel’s event visit www.inchristysshoes.org.
Amber Qalagari 