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Greg Burkholder seemed strangely comfortable gliding around on skate skis, decked out in a red pom-pom poodle skirt, lipstick and blue bob wig.

He blended in well with about 80 other skiers and snowshoers who sported their best '50s attire for the annual Ski for Women benefit at the Steamboat Ski Touring Center on Saturday.

"It was my wife," Burkholder said about the outfit. "She came up with it after countless hours of shopping at LIFT-UP."

Greg, his wife, Amy, and his daughters, Gretchen, 8, and Anna, 6 -- all wearing matching poodle skirts and flashy sunglasses -- won best "Nifty '50s" costume in the family category.

Participants' costumes were a silly twist on a benefit for a very serious cause.

Skiers' donations, as well as contributions from local businesses and proceeds from a silent auction, all went toward programs and support services provided by Advocates Against Battering and Abuse.

Each year, the organization helps an increasing number of women, men and children throughout Northwest Colorado who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and other crimes.

"It just helps us increase our budget to help survivors," Executive Director Diane Moore said.

About 18 local businesses, including Alpine Bank, Starbucks, TCD Construction, Terry Sports, SmartWool and First National Bank, donated more than $3,000 in money, door prizes, goody bag items and silent auction goods.

The silent auction raised about $1,500. Moore was still waiting to confirm donations and did not have a final count for money raised during the overall event.

The funds will be well-received by Advocates, which is starting to see some cuts in state and national funding, Moore said.

Nancy Brodie said the fund-raiser was a good opportunity to spend time with her daughter, 10-year-old Amy, while helping a good cause.

"This also is a good thing for mother and daughter to do before the teen years," Nancy Brodie said.

The Ski for Women benefit, while helping victims, also supports crime-prevention projects, including a youth-peer education program, which trains high school students to give classroom presentations about bullying, sexual harassment and dating violence.

Those education programs are particularly critical considering the prevalence of sexual violence against teenagers as well as situations involving date rape drugs, Moore said.

"I clearly believe that is an issue in our community," she said.

Another advocates program provides harassment and violence-prevention consultation for businesses. Advocates' also recently formed a task force to investigate elder abuse issues, Moore said.

The Ski for Women benefit, however, wasn't just about raising money; it was about raising awareness of sexual and violent crimes, which is still a hush-hush subject in society, she said.

"I think society and our community still does not understand the impact of sexual violence," Moore said. "It's so difficult to talk about and hear about it. I know there's a lot more going on that we don't hear about."

-- To reach Tamera Manzanares call 871-4204 or e-mail tmanzanares@steamboatpilot.com