This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

The MACC 5K Raises Money to Fight Human Trafficking

Mid-Atlantic Community Church organized the run/walk to benefit Shared Hope International's efforts to restore young girls who are victims of sex trafficking.

Members of Mid-Atlantic Community Church (MACC) and individuals from the community participated in a 5K run/walk at Quiet Waters Park on Saturday to raise money for Shared Hope International, a non-profit organization that works to prevent human sex trafficking.

The 5K was the brainstorm of church member Michelle Sol. Sol said that this is the second year that MACC has allowed her to organize the race, donating all proceeds to support Shared Hope's costs in preventing human trafficking, rescuing and restoring victims of sex slavery and lobbying for improved laws against childhood abuse and prostitution throughout the world.

“To me, sex trafficking is the ugliest of the ugly. It's robbing a little girl of her childhood. I have two girls of my own and the cause hits home for me. It's important that people know that these girls are not necessarily runaways or 'bad girls.' Sometimes these are honor roll students who happened to be kidnapped or find themselves in a bad situation. It's a cause that weighs heavy on my heart, and I knew there had to be a way for me to help out,” said Sol.

Find out what's happening in Croftonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sol said she planned the event with the help of her friends and fellow MACC members, Karen Thompson and Cindy Forney.

“These girls just get trapped in the sex trade and it's heartbreaking,” Thompson said, “When you hear stories about how it doesn't just happen in impoverished countries, but also in the United States, it hits home and you feel compelled to do what you can to help.”

Find out what's happening in Croftonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Thompson, 130 walkers and runners pre-registered for the race, and approximately 50 walk-up registrants were expected. Thompson also expressed her gratitude for the large number of church volunteers who helped with staffing the event, as well as local businesses such as Six Flags Great Adventure, The Sports Authority and Chick-Fil-A of Waugh Chapel, who donated items for goodie bags presented to race participants.

MACC member Janelle Howarth participated in the 5K run with her two young daughters, who rode along in the jogging stroller as she completed the course.

“I have daughters, and when I heard about sex trafficking, I thought about how it could happen to them. Any cause involving women is always close to my heart, especially when it comes to issues that could one day affect my girls,” said Howarth.

Nancy Winston, a director and board member of Shared Hope International, attended the event to speak to participants about the issue of human trafficking in the United States and beyond.

“People hear about the organization and ask what they can do,” said Winston, “Not everyone can go out and rescue a girl who has been sold into sex slavery. No single one of us will solve the the problem, but people can do things in their own local areas to help.”

Winston said that there are two major things individuals can do to help Shared Hope restore the lives of young girls who have been victims of human trafficking. The first is to participate in the legislative process in their local governments – fighting to stiffen the penalties for those convicted of sex trafficking. Second, people can connect with their local churches to become mentors for girls who have come out of sex slavery, playing a role in the healing process as they recover.

“People must realize this is not only an issue in third world countries. This is happening in the US with US children. Children in this country are much more exposed and vulnerable with the Internet and cell phones. The sex trade has already exceeded the gun trade in this nation, and will soon surpass the drug trade as well. We need Americans to react and partner with us in stopping human trafficking and restoring girls who have fallen victim to the sex trade.”

For more information about the mission of Shared Hope International, or to make a donation, visit their website.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?