Fighting for freedom
Annual 5K raises funds to combat human trafficking
Many go through life unaware of the horrendous reality that is the industry of human sex trafficking and how widely it has spread. It is no longer exclusive to third-world countries or underdeveloped nations. It has spread across the globe, even within the borders of the United States.
Sponsor — Names are written on arms of runners. Photo credit: Sam Campbell
Founded in Lynchburg by Christine Pettit, Freedom 4/24 is a nonprofit organization that has committed to actively fight the sexual exploitation of women and children since 2008, at first within the red-light districts of Bangkok, Thailand, and now throughout the world. The idea of Freedom 4/24 came from the $24 cost it takes to purchase a woman’s services in Thailand for a day.
According to Freedom 4/24’s website, many women and children in poverty-stricken nations are sold into sex-trafficking by their own families or engage in prostitution for their own survival and the survival of their families.
Freedom 4/24’s seventh annual Run 4 Their Lives (R4TL) race is coming up May 2, and the organization is once again encouraging individuals, students, families, church groups and kids to participate. Freedom 4/24 is offering a new “Run for Free” opportunity for race participants this year by providing the chance for runners and walkers to enter the event for free if they raise $50 by race day.
Represent — Runners pose before annual charity 5K. Photo credit: Sam Campbell
According to a recent press release issued by Freedom 4/24, “when participants sign up to fundraise, they are shown real monthly costs of caring for each girl at a partnering organization in Bangkok, Thailand, (and) the Home of New Beginnings.”
This partnering organization helps in providing permanent freedom, safe shelter, relationships, healing and higher education for victims of human trafficking. Freedom 4/24 hopes this new option will help participants understand the impact of their contributions in a real way.
The R4TL race serves to raise awareness and encourage others to take action. R4TL also collects contributions to support women and children who have been sexually exploited through the industry of human sex trafficking. Through their partnerships and received donations, they are able to provide a variety of services to free victims and their families, meet various needs and bring them the justice they deserve.
Freedom 4/24 Executive Race Director Ryan Barr hopes this year’s race will inspire others to participate and contribute. He also encouraged participants to remember the stories and faces of the women and children while they run to bring them freedom.
This year’s R4TL event will be hosted by Lynchburg College and will feature a 5K race, which is open to both runners and walkers of all ages, as well as the Kids Fun Run Saturday, May 2 beginning at 8:15 a.m. Registration for both R4TL events will end April 29 at 11:59 p.m.
For those interested in registering, donating or fundraising, visit r4tl.com. For more information regarding Freedom 4/24 and their impact, visit freedom424.org.
ELLIOTT is a feature reporter.