The Aurora University baseball and softball programs teamed up once again on Saturday, February 13 for Wayside Cross Ministries and specifically the Walk a mile in my shoes fundraiser. A vital part of the event is participants are asked to raise $50 or more to aid women and children, and at-risk youth.

The AU program's combined to raise approximately $1,800. The organizations and individuals that participated in the event, which marked its 10th year in 2016, had a competition to raise the most funds. AU baseball has participated in the last eight walks with the softball team joining in the last several years.

"It is a fantastic event to take part in, our student-athletes get a lot out of the event," said AU Head Coach Adam Stevens. "I am very proud of our guys and partnering with the softball team to raise money and walk to help a great cause." 

The Walk-A-Mile event is meant to benefit battered and homeless women and children in Aurora. Wayside Cross Ministries hosted its 10th annual winter walk on February 13, 2016, the only winter walk in Chicagoland. The one mile walk is undertaken to help at-risk youth and the ministry's transitional living center for homeless women and children. Walk proceeds will benefit Lifespring Center and Urban Youth Ministry of Wayside Cross Ministries. The walk began at 8:00 a.m. from the John R. Harkness Center at 60 West 4th Street in Aurora.

The baseball and softball programs start the 2016 seasons in the coming weeks. Baseball travels on Saturday, February 27 when they travel to MacMurray College for a three-game weekend series. Game one of the doublehader on Saturday is set for 1:00 p.m. in Jacksonville, Illinois. Softball opens the season at the PFX Athletics The Spring Games in Clermont, Florida during spring break (March 6 to March 10, 2016). The Spartans will play St. John Fisher College in a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 6.