by Noella Noelophile®
“Your shoes are so shiny!”
“I had to spray-paint them…I did it last night.”
This was just one of the conversations prior to check-in for Saturday’s ninth annual “Red High Heels Walk”, in Long Beach.
The annual event, sponsored by Justin Rudd’s nonprofit Community Action Team, is designed to raise heart health awareness during February, which is Heart Health Month.
In addition, groups of twenty or more who pre-register and complete the walk can raise funds for their organizations.
And the idea: to walk a mile in red shoes–high heels or otherwise. Walkers are encouraged to make and carry signs with heart health information.
Arriving at Belmont Shore’s Livingston Park, around eleven on Saturday morning, we saw the park’s transformation from “average weekend” to “special event” in a matter of minutes.
More walkers began arriving for check-in. The walk, across the “red carpet” and along Second Street, would begin at noon.
Approximately 75 walkers, including members of five different community groups–and several winners of Long Beach beauty pageants–would ultimately participate.
“Oh my God, we have the same shoes!” exclaimed one title holder, observing a colleague’s red platforms.
“They’re so comfortable,” her fellow participant agreed.
Meanwhile, a handsome “guest star” showed up, on his leash. 
This is “Potus”! (But he didn’t stay for the walk–perhaps because he didn’t have shoes, red or otherwise.)
“Would anyone like to say a few words about someone they know (with heart health issues, before we leave)?” asked organizer/Long Beach “Chief Inspiration Officer” Justin Rudd.
Several speakers stepped up, including a spokeswoman from Long Beach City College’s Nursing Association.
During her short speech, she reminded women that menopause increases their risk of heart health issues.
Following her, participant DeJesus told the audience he was walking in honor of his mother, who has had a problem with her heart.
“She made this heart for me,” he said, displaying a large medallion. “And I promised that I would do this for her, and for all the people on the earth, that need our support, and our love.”
“Some of you are wearing heels, maybe for the first time,” Justin said, a few minutes later.
The crowd laughed. They’d already observed that one member of the Long Beach City College group, was doing exactly that!
“When I started the Red High Heels Walk, …I wore heels the first two years,” Justin continued. “And walked very slowly. But I realize now it’s more important for me to photograph the event, and I can’t do that in red heels.”
The time had come for the National Anthem, which eighteen-year-old “National Anthem Sing-Off” contest winner Caitlin Hunter sang.
Cheers and applause followed.
And off went the ninth annual Red High Heels Walk, across the red carpet and onto Second Street.
Walkers included Long Beach City College’s Nursing Association, Cal State Fullerton and Carver Elementary School. 
The Helpful Honda crew, Lion’s Heart and the President’s Ambassadors, from CSULB, were on hand, as well.
The “Carver Crue”, from the elementary school, were walking with their classmate, six-year-old Micah, who has had heart surgery.
Most walkers seemed to have opted for red flats (as did this reporter). But there were some tall boots and platforms.
And while heart health awareness was the goal, no one said we couldn’t have fun!
The one-mile walk proceeded up one side of Second Street, then down the other, lasting about 45 minutes.
And our game first-timer managed to stay the course, in his three-inch stilettos.
His heels were bleeding by the time he kicked off the shoes and tumbled onto the grass at Livingston Park for a final group photo, but he was still smiling!
And so were the other participants of the ninth Annual Red High Heels Walk, who celebrated Heart Health Month and honored those they love while,raising awareness about heart health. 
They may even have lengthened some lives.
Long Beach, I like your shoes.