Still Time to Sign Up for Run to Benefit Fight Against Sexual Slavery…or Contribute

At the Algonquin Founders’ Day Parade, I got the picture you see below of the Red Dress

The Red Dress Run promoted itself in the Algonquin Founders Day Parade.

Red Run 5K Run/Walk to Raise Funds to End Child Sex Trafficking in McHenry County and Beyond

ALGONQUIN-Local moms Kristen Guerrieri and Cortina Nystad aren’t running through downtown Algonquin in scarlet dresses and worn running shoes just for exercise.

They’re running to save the lives of young girls being sold into the sex trade.

After learning about two little girls from Cambodia-each clad in a red dress-that were sold into the sex trade in 2011, Nystad and Guerrieri donned their crimson best and took to the street to get the message out.

On weekly runs down Route 62, the two moms developed The Red Run 5K Run/Walk, which will host its inaugural event on August 11 at Presidential Park on Highland Avenue.

200 participants are expected at the USATF-certified race, which will benefit

  • the Salvation Army PROMISE (Anne’s House), a local residential program that provides aftercare for victims and
  • Love146, an organization that provides prevention and aftercare solutions internationally.

Prizes will be awarded for the top male and female finishers and for the top three finishers in each age category.

“I envision a sea of red,” said Nystad.

“We will run or walk in red to honor victims and to raise awareness about this horrific epidemic.

“We will be saying, ‘Not in our backyard.'”

To bring light to another form of human trafficking- slave labor-participants can take the Slavery Footprint lifestyle survey, which assesses how many slaves provide services for an individual based upon the products he or she buys. A grand total will be announced on race day.

“Most people think of human trafficking as something that happens overseas, but the reality is it is happening right here-not only in Chicago, but in the suburbs,” said Guerrieri.

“Here in the U.S., victims aren’t typically kidnapped or trapped in a brothel as is often portrayed on TV.

“They meet someone at school, at the mall, or online, and are lured in.”

“As many as 25,000 females are exploited every year in Chicago alone-with the average age of entry being 12-14 years old,” Guerrieri continued.

“We must band together, educate ourselves, and say, ‘Not in our town! Not our children!'”

The event will feature:

  • Raffle prizes (including artwork by Buy Art Not People, Chicago Cubs rooftop tickets, Chicago White Sox memorabilia, gift certificates to local businesses)
  • Vendors that support victims and survivors of human trafficking (including WAR Chest Boutique-Naperville, which supports the organization Women At Risk)
  • An inflatable bounce house for kids
  • Music by K-LOVE radio

Kristen Guerrieri and Cortina Nystad

For more information or to register for the event please visit theredrun.org.

Registration is $25 in advance of the event or $35 at the door. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kristen Guerrieri at kristen@theredrun.org.

= = = = =
Or you could just send a contribution to Red Dress Foundation, Box 339, Algonquin, IL 60102.


Comments

Still Time to Sign Up for Run to Benefit Fight Against Sexual Slavery…or Contribute — 1 Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *