November 29, 2013
By Special Correspondent, Sam Prasad
Enthusiasts of all age groups participated in the inaugural “‘Stuff the Sleigh’ 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk,” collecting hundreds of dollars in gift donations of food and clothing, for ACT-NOW and Courtney's House to help victims of child trafficking.
November 29, 2013
By Special Correspondent, Sam Prasad
Enthusiasts of all age groups participated in the inaugural “‘Stuff the Sleigh’ 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk,” collecting hundreds of dollars in gift donations of food and clothing, for ACT-NOW and Courtney's House to help victims of child trafficking.
More than 250 enthusiasts ran or walked in support of the Metro Washington 'Stuff the Sleigh' event on Sunday, November 24, 2013
TYSONS CORNER, VA — It was Sunday, November 24, but it felt like the middle of winter! Temperatures plummeted to mid-20s, making it feel more like January than November.
But, freezing temperature did not stop the runners: They were determined to support an important cause: Help stop child trafficking.
1mile walkers.
It costs a lot of effort to stop child trafficking and rehabilitate victims.
People are trafficked from 127 countries to be exploited in 137 countries, affecting every continent and every type of economy.
According to ACT-NOW, an estimated 2.44 million humans are trafficked annually for sexual and labor exploitations, and more than 50% of those trafficked are children. The average age of a trafficked child is 12 years.
The event was organized to rescue victims of child trafficking in Metro Washington
In the United States, the Department of State reports, 300,000 children are forced into child prostitution and child pornography each year. In Washington DC alone, trafficking innocent children is a $100 million industry.
Only with the collaborative effort of the federal government, state governments, NGOs, responsible citizens, activists, and volunteers can stop child trafficking. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center answers calls for help (24/7, 365 days). Call 1-888-373-7888.
The inaugural “'Stuff the Sleigh' 5k and 1 mile walk”
8:50 AM: The participants came to the starting point, bundled.
9:00 AM: “On your marks”…”get set”…“go!” The crowd — kids, adolescents, adults, and elders — took off.
The event was made possible because of the collaborative efforts of:
Tom Azcona and Gloria Azcona of Plan Ahead Events; Sharon Brown Ruth Santiago also of Plan Ahead Events for help at packet pickup and registration; Promod Sharma, Jeff Brouse and Tori Busenitz of ACTNOW; Lisa Hoffman and Sharon Brown of the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce; Scott Finberg and Shelley Baxter of PS Business Parks; JoAnna Mason and the TD Bank team, Raghavan Chellappan of MyDosti.com team. Jay Jacob Winn and team of DC Capitol Striders; Wegmans and Giant Foods.
The cold temperature did not deter the children
The other suppoters were: Al Watson, Lorraine Taylor, Marcia McAllister and Katy Gorman of the Washington’s Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Airport Authority, and the Metro Silver Line; The Fire Station and Emergency Unit, and the Police Department of Mclean, VA;
Energy Boosters: Fruit, snack, water, coffee and hand warmers – you asked for it, you got it.
The organizers thanked the runners, walkers, volunteers, and community activists for their support.
The participants, at the end of the race, said: “I am excited, I ran for a great cause!”
At the end of the race, an excited runner: “I ran for a great cause!”
Click below to view photographs from the "Stuff the Sleigh" event held on November 24th 2013:
http://www.mydosti.com/photos/albuminfo.aspx?alid=495&name=2013_Stuff_the_Sleigh_5K_Run
Community Special by MYDOSTI.COM
