Slavery is a term most people relate to the 19th century. However, Kimberly Squires wants people to know that slavery is, unfortunately, a thriving business in 2013.
Squires has helped organize the second annual Run to Rescue 5K Trail Run and Spaghetti Dinner. Money raised from the two-day event will go towards She is Safe, an international organization based in Atlanta that works worldwide to help females and SAFE of Lenoir County, a local organization that helps women and girls in Lenoir and Greene counties.
The 5K race is Saturday morning at 9 a.m.; the spaghetti dinner is at 6 p.m. today. The cost to participate in the race is $30 if paid today; it’s $35 in preregistration that begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. The dinner is $8. Both events will take place at The Refuge, 1380 Lower Field Road, Ayden.
The goal of this weekend’s event is simple, Squires said.
“We’re trying to raise awareness of modern day slavery and human trafficking,” Squires said. “We have more slaves right now than we have ever had in the history of the world.”
According to the International Labor Organization, 80 percent of the 27 million people currently enslaved worldwide are women and girls. Seventy percent of those enslaved women and girls end up in the commercial sex industry.
She said North Carolina is ranked eighth in the United States in human trafficking.
“That is not a Top 10 statistic I am proud of,” Squires said.
The money raised from the event will help rescue and support victims of human trafficking, sex trade, domestic violence and sexual abuse. At last year’s event, more than $3,500 was raised; this year, the goal is to have 100 runners and to raise $4,500 to give to She is Safe and SAFE of Lenoir County.
Squires said She Is Safe inspired a local group from Grace Fellowship Church to organize the race. The mission of She Is Safe is to prevent, rescue and restore women and girls from abuse and exploitation in high risk places around the world, equipping them to build a life of freedom, faith and a strong future.
SAFE of Lenoir County is a social service organization based in Kinston. Some of the services SAFE provides include a 24-hour crisis line, crisis counseling, court advocacy/accompaniment, emergency transportation, clothes, food, shelter and support groups for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Squires is a 32-year-old Kinston native and massage therapist who said the issue of slavery and human trafficking is “near and dear” to her heart. She said she had gone to Washington, D.C., last year to help lobby Capitol Hill about the issues.
“It’s horrendous and a horrific truth that it’s so prevalent today,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do to let people know about this, I’m going to do it.”
Bryan C. Hanks can be reached at 252-559-1074 or at Bryan.Hanks@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at BCHanks.
Second annual Run to Rescue 5K Trail Run and Spaghetti Dinner
When: Saturday, 9 a.m.; early registration begins at 8 a.m.
Where: The Refuge, 1380 Lower Field Road, Ayden
Cost: $30 before Saturday, $35 on day of event
What it’s for: Proceeds will go to She is Safe and SAFE in Lenoir County, organizations that raise funds to aid at-risk women and girls
Hungry? A spaghetti dinner will be held at The Refuge at 6 p.m. today. Dinner is $8 and proceeds also will go to She is Safe and SAFE in Lenoir County
For more information and online race registration: Visit active.com/running/ayden-nc/the-run-to-rescue-2013. You can also perform a Facebook search of Kinston’s Run to Rescue