Running Against Human Trafficking

Can you imagine 5, 6, 7 year old girls being raped repeatedly each day? Tourists stopping by for oral sex with children? Adults who are meant to protect the most innocent accepting money and looking away? What if it were happening to your child?

Me and my friends are going to do whatever we can to stop sexual exploitation.

I moved to Utah in March of 2007 and ever since have been on a journey to wellness. I have lost 82 pounds and have another 60 or so to go. As a personal challenge I have decided to participate in my very first half marathon. My friend Krissi has a goal to do her very first marathon before she hits a milestone birthday this year.

Krissi & I, as well as some other friends, are going to do the Salt Lake City Marathon in April 2009.

We want to raise $16,000 to build a home for children rescued out of sexual slavery in Thailand. Our friend Judah did what he could to change the destiny for 3 dozen girls by getting Kona coffee plants donated and now a sustainable crop is grown in the montain villages- eliminating the practice of selling children into servitude- which usually leads to forced prostitution. (www.mercyhousecoffee.org) Mercy House is a safe place for girls who are rescued from sexual slavery and brought to live in peace, safety and love. We want to build them a new building but can't do it on our own.

We also are becoming more and more aware of the issue of human trafficking in the USA. It is SHOCKING. I will post more as I learn more.

Here is our plan for starters:

We'll do all the work... you just cheer us on.
We train for our race, you sponsor us financially.

We need sponsors to support us as we train and race.
We need shoes. Some of us just don't have the extra cash for running shoes. Can you help?
MORE importantly, can you sponsor one (or more) of us through our race and/or our training?

Imagine what$0 .05 a mile could do! (10 weeks training x 30 miles a week=300 miles +26 marathon miles=326 miles x .05 =$16.30) Could you set that aside for this cause?

Another factor is this. When I have a purpose, I am motivated to see it through. Would you help me see it through?

Do you have experience with this kind of fund raising? I am 100% new at it and would value your input!

Lets Run against Traffic!