1,500 participants expected at “Free Them” 5k Run/Walk to help stop human trafficking

On Saturday, May 12, an anticipated 1,500 runners and walkers will take to the streets of Shoreline in a united effort to help protect vulnerable children and women from human trafficking.

World Concern’s annual “Free Them” 5k Run/Walk to stop human trafficking will be held at its headquarters, 19303 Fremont Ave. N., and aims to raise awareness and funds for anti-trafficking programs.

Human trafficking is rampant in many parts of the world. According to UNICEF, as many as 2 million children are entrapped in the global commercial sex trade. But Puget Sound residents are taking action to help stop this horrific crime by participating in the 5k.

More than 1,000 people participated last year
Photo courtesy World Concern

Last year, more than 1,000 people participated, raising $107,000 toward World Concern’s programs, which provide education, job skills and safe havens for victims and those at risk of trafficking in Southeast Asia.

Brier resident Lorene Jansson was a top fundraiser for last year’s event, and will be running the 5k again this year.

Before getting involved in the Free Them 5k, she felt paralyzed by the magnitude of the problem of human trafficking.

“It’s an overwhelming problem. I live in a nice little house in Brier, what can I do? But I realized I can do something. I can register for the run and get involved,” she said. “This is something we all can do. It’s right in our backyard.”

Jansson sells homemade cinnamon rolls and beaded jewelry to friends and coworkers to raise funds for the cause.

“You take your passion, whatever it is, and apply it to what you want to do,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see so many like-minded people wanting to do something about trafficking. There’s a lot of energy and a lot of young people at the event.”

Anyone interested in participating in the Free Them 5k can register.

World Concern is a Christian global relief and development organization. With our supporters, our faith compels us to extend life-saving help and opportunity to people facing the most profound human challenges of extreme poverty. At World Concern, the solutions we offer, the work we do, creates lasting, sustainable change. Lasting change that provides lasting hope. Our areas of expertise include disaster response, clean water, education, food security, child protection, microfinance and health.