AYDEN — Helping one child for a year costs about the same as buying a crib for your baby, so said Christie Bloom, a former Kinston resident.
She and her husband Grant participated in the second annual Run to Rescue 5K Trail Run, held at The Refuge in Ayden on Saturday.
Last year, the couple was considering becoming members of SAFE in Lenoir County. She was pregnant at the time.
“Here we were with all this stuff and we were buying a crib,” Christie said, “and that could save one child.”
Grant, who was stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB, said their daughter Lilly, now 16 months, was the inspiration for starting the 5K run to bring awareness about modern slavery and human trafficking.
“We were about to have a daughter,” he said, “and we wanted to do something to help.”
The family transferred to Ohio, but that didn’t stop them from driving to Greene County to participate in the second annual race.
There were 60 runners of various ages and abilities who walked or ran Saturday’s race, the event’s director, Kimberly Squires, said. Many of the racers are members of Grace Fellowship Church in Kinston, where the idea came into fruition, and they appear to take the cause on as a ministry.
The goal was to raise $4,500 for the organizations She is Safe and SAFE in Lenoir County. Squires said the turnout was a little lower this year and they are about three-quarters of the way towards their goal.
“I want to make the world better, you know what I mean?” she asked.
While everyone in the race was a winner, Jackson Perry, 18, estimates he finished in about 22 minutes and was the first in a series to be cheered on as he crossed the finish line.
“I think it’s a big problem,” he said about human trafficking. “So I think it’s good to have a fundraiser.”
Carrie Himes and her husband Chris came to Kinston recently from South Florida to prepare to be missionaries in Brazil.
“We’re loving being a part of all this outreach in the community,” she said.
She said most people aren’t aware that modern slavery even exists.
“We feel like slavery is over,” she said. “We don’t see it. Human trafficking and sex slavery is very prevalent here in our country and in other parts of the world.”
Isabelle Sylvia, 6, was one of many children who participated in the race. Her brother, Zach Sylvia, 13, said he ran to support SAFE. The family lives in Kinston.
“I’m here to promote the awareness of sex trafficking, internationally and local,” said their mother, Lisa Sylvia.
Joey Huff, Kinston Public Health director, ran the race with three others.
“Human trafficking is a problem that needs more attention,” he said. “This is a good cause.”
Courtney Jackson of Kinston had the same opinion.
“I think the cause is really wonderful — rescuing girls from trafficking,” she said. “It’s just something that needs to be brought to more attention.”
Ethel Johnson of Kinston said she had read about the subject and heard speakers talk about it when she joined Women of Vision. She currently sponsors a child through that organization.
“Coming here today has given me a chance to help a little,” she said.
Christie Bloom anticipates youth gang violence and drug use when she and her husband arrive in Brazil.
“So all this we do,” she said, “is to bring the hope that we have in Jesus into their lives.”
To help Run to Rescue meet its goal, call Kimberly Squires at 252-468-6963.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
You can help,
To donate to Run to Rescue, call Kimberly Squires at 252-468-6963