Record turnout expected for Saturday’s Race to Fight Human Trafficking

From World Concern staff

World Concern expects more than 1,200 people will run or walk in the “Free Them” 5k on Saturday, a race to stop human trafficking. More people have also signed up to fundraise through social media this year, driven to action because of the reality of modern-day slavery.

“Rain or shine, we’re excited to hold our biggest event of the year,” said World Concern President David Eller. “People get the message: we can prevent this kind of abuse from ever happening.”

World Concern staff and volunteers are putting the course together today and handing out race packets. The event will be held at World Concern’s headquarters, 19303 Fremont Ave. N., in Seattle. The race begins at 9:30 am. Proceeds from the race will go to protect women and children who are vulnerable to trafficking.

Today, nearly 3,000 children will be trafficked around the world. These children are sold as modern-day slaves into the sex industry, forced labor, or used as beggars on the streets.

Carrie Yu, a Seattle resident and mom of two young children, is raising funds through her Facebook and Twitter pages, and will run in the 5k.

“As a parent, it’s heart-breaking to think about,” said Yu. “I can’t imagine having to make the decision to sell a child into slavery in order to survive. I can’t go into the mission field, but I can run for this cause. I can raise money. This is something I can do right now where I am in my life.”

Last year’s event raised $83,000 for World Concern’s anti-trafficking programs, which provide education, job skills and safe havens for victims and those at risk of trafficking in Southeast Asia.

World Concern, part of CRISTA Ministries, is a Christian humanitarian organization that helps lift people out of poverty through activities including microfinance, agriculture, disaster response and small business development. World Concern works with the poor in 22 countries, with the goal of transforming the lives of those we touch, leading them on a path to self-sustainability. Worldwide, World Concern offers life, opportunity and hope to nearly six million people.