Get your running or walking shoes ready… Join us as we participate in the Run Against Trafficking (R.A.T. Race) on Saturday, October 3
I'll be honest, I hadn't really heard about trafficking (also known as sex trafficking) happening all that often here in the United States. It wasn't until last year, when the Super Bowl was held here in town that I started to see news reports, articles in magazines and this event, gaining publicity and awareness. See not only is there all the hype, money and excitement a super bowl brings to town, but sadly, it also brings with it ... human trafficking.
Jarrett and I selected this event to be a part of our Noah's Kindness Project because it is something we hadn't normally supported, donated to, or connected ourselves with. And one of our goals by creating this day was to do something above and beyond our usual ways to give back to the community.
And now that I've taken the time to look into the staggering statistics about human trafficking, and yes, it is a very huge problem in our country, I am glad we can give back by helping to raise awareness, generate funds, and possible help some young girl (or boy) on the streets tonight being forced to do things we don't want to dream about, get a new life.
Here are some very scary but real statistic given to me today by one of the race organizers...
- 100,000 American children are victims of domestic human trafficking each year in the U.S.(National Human Trafficking)
- The average age a teen enters into the sex trade in Arizona is 14 years old. Phoenix law enforcement officers report they have helped girls as young as 9 who were sold for sex. (Phoenix Police Department)
- The FBI reports that once a child is trafficked, the average life expectancy of that child is 7 years, mostly caused by homicides or HIV/AIDS. (FBI)
- As many as 2.8 million children run away each year in the U.S. (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children).
- One out of every three teens on the street will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home (National Runaway Switchboard).
I said "scary" and I was right. I share these statistics not to frighten, but to help spread the message that this is a huge problem within our country, its in each of our communities and its time to help do something about it.
The mission of the Run Against Trafficking is to raise awareness for organizations working to end sex trafficking in Arizona.
So that's what we are going to do...
We will be starting out our day filled with activities by participating in the 5k run/walk will be held in
Riverview Park in Mesa, Arizona- adjacent to the Cubs Spring Training Facility
beginning at 8 a.m. for the run and 8:30 a.m. for the walk. By signing up and paying the $30.00 registration fee, not only are you doing something to help yourself (by getting out and exercising) but you are helping to rescue those whose lives are on the line daily.
Please join our team, “Noah’s Kindness
Project” and come get your sweat on as we walk or run to help local
victims.
Please CLICK HERE to
sign up and join Noah's Kindness Project team.
We plan to wear our Noah's Kindness Project t-shirts and meet at the Noah’s Kindness Project booth
that between 7:30-7:45 a.m. that morning so we can run or walk together.
If you don't feel like walking or running in the race, but still want to participate, the event managers have graciously agreed to let us have a booth to talk about Noah's Kindness Project and to encourage others to help spread the message about sharing kindness with the world. If you'd like to help staff the booth and hand out kindness cards, talk about our little amazing Noah and his legacy, we'd love your help. If you'd like to participate by staffing the booth, leave a comment or reach out to me and we can coordinate details.
Otherwise, please come and join our team. If you've always wanted to participate in an event like this, or if you've done a thousand, we hope you'll consider joining us for this important charity event. We will have both runners and walkers so, I promise ... you won't participate alone!
For more information, see the image below, or visit: RunAgainstTrafficking.org
Thank you for considering this, our second kindness activity ... 10 more to come.
Until next time,
Angie
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