Rebecca Dunning, a full-time writer and abolitionist, shares about Team Abolition and anti-human trafficking happenings in Colorado. Check out the article here!!!

By Rebecca Dunning

What do you do when you love to run and you hate human trafficking? For Jenny Watson, of Littleton, Colorado, you whip up a 5k from scratch in the fall of 2010 and then add to it a 10k for the 2011 year.

The second annual Justice Run (www.justicerun.org) will once again be hosted by the Littleton, Colorado YMCA on Sunday, September 25, 2011 beginning at 8:30 AM and take place on the beautiful Highline Canal and Lee Gulch trails.

The event is designed for all ages and consists of a fun run for the kiddos, a 5k walk/run and a 10k run. Both races are certified and professionally timed. Post-race runners will find kids’ activities, food and beverages, a raffle and awards.

Registration prices are as follows:

10K
Adults 18-25 – $30
Seniors 60+ -$25
Children 17 & under – $20

5K
Adults 18-25 – $25
Seniors 60+ -$20
Children 17 & under – $15

Kids Fun Run – FREE

Visit www.thejusticerun.org for more information or to register. Each registration includes a t-shirt, goody-bag, a post-race meal and raffle entry.

When asked to share her inspiration for facilitating the Justice Run Watson replied,

“I remember when I was first confronted with the issue of human trafficking I was heartbroken by the stories and images of these girls and women all over the world, held against their will. I wondered, “How can something like this actually be happening in the 21st century? Why is no one helping these people and freeing these slaves.”

I wanted to do something to help, something substantial. We have friends who are a part of the huge network of people working on the front lines. They founded the Justice Project with the desire to see a complete effort developed in their region to combat Human Trafficking, including outreaches to the red light district, building a restoration center for rescued victims, and forming small groups to focus on different aspects of combatting Trafficking. They are the ones that I wanted to help. I wanted the people, who have given up everything to go in to the world and make this their life’s cause, to know that we, here in Littleton, CO, had their back.”

Jenny Watson and the Justice Run team would like to thank:

Freeway and Longmont Ford who return as the Title Sponsors for this year’s run, Pixel Nine Design who has recently come on board providing the Justice Run with a new website, Ultimate Sounds who will supply music and sound equipment and More Sugar Than Spice Photography.

Last year over $7500.00 was raised to fight human trafficking with a goal to double that this September. Proceeds from the race will go to the Justice Project. To find out more visit: www.thejusticerun.org.

Rebecca Dunning is an award winning writer who lives in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado with her husband and three children. She not only loves to read and write but also enjoys hiking, climbing mountains 14,000 feet or higher, traveling the world and about anything else out-of-doors. Rebecca is the author of two children’s books: The Real-Life Princess and Beetle Hunter as well as her first novel, The Awen: Book One of the Sacred Oak Series. Ms. Dunning is also a regular contributor to Pikes Peak Parent, FreshInk and The Gazette. Find Rebecca at www.rebeccadunning.com or www.rebeccalynndunning.blogspot.com

Guest Post by Rebecca Dunning, abolitionist and author from Colorado Springs, CO.  You can view more of her writing at rebeccalynndunning.blogspot.com

Working a bit in the area of anti-human trafficking, I get a lot of questions about fair-trade shopping and how to be sure you are not purchasing slave made products.  In light of that, I thought that I’d put something together to refer folks to that will point them in the right direction.

This whole thing can seem pretty overwhelming at first, so take a deep breath and begin the journey with the obvious at first.  (You don’t need to necessarily shred every item of clothing you wear for instance)

• I started with chocolate, coffee and candy.  We do not, nor do our kids eat anything made by the corporate villain, Nestle or companies like them.  Cocoa and coffee beans are one of the most slave/non fair wage areas of cash crops in the world.  It’s easy to pick up something at Wholefoods and not even need to worry about checking as they have already done it for you.  However, your local grocery store will carry, Endangered Species, which is rated an A+ by Ellis Jones in The Better World Shopping Guide.- Pick up a copy of the book, which has a lot of web site links that will educate you, and find out how companies are rated and why.
• By and large I buy gifts that are local (by artisans that are into the same mojo), or certified fair-trade.  Not only am I supporting local business, but I am getting unique things that often give back to developing countries.
• If you are ever getting screen printing on t-shirts for your team or organization, insist on getting the printer to verify that they are fair trade. I know Gildan and No Sweat has taken a stand among others.  FYI:  I do not shop at Sam’s Club or Walmart, for there is indeed a cost to someone for our cheap prices. Dillards is also a deceptively sweatshop orientated clothier.

and

• Another easy thing would be to make sure that your diamond purchases are not blood diamonds.  Don’t take a verbal promise when purchasing that special lady her engagement ring but insist on seeing certification.  Check out Global Witness who first made the link to diamonds and wars including the use of slaves for mining.

The above is simply to point people in the right direction but you can go as deep into the rabbit hole as you are willing.  A tip for the road: Educate people with patience and kindness in light of your convictions and enjoy the free conscience that comes with your next delicious chocolate bar.

~ Thanks for reading.

To find out more about Rebecca or see where you can purchase her books,The Real-Life Princess and Beetle Hunter, go to www.rebeccadunning.com.