Awen House Publishing to Attend 5k Justice Run to Benefit Anti-Human Trafficking Through Raising Funds and Awareness

Littleton, DE, September 16, 2010 --(PR.com)-- 5k Justice Run to Benefit Anti-Human Trafficking through Raising Funds and Awareness

Littleton, Colorado will be the home for the first annual 5K Justice Run for anti-human trafficking taking place on Sunday, September 26 at the Littleton Family YMCA at 9:00 am.

According to www.thejusticerun.org, Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world at a whopping 12 billion dollars per year generated. There are 27 million people enslaved worldwide, including the more than 2 million children that are currently trapped in forced prostitution. Seventy percent (70%) of the victims are girls and Fifty percent (50%) are children. In fact every thirty (30) seconds a girl is sold into sex trafficking. Shockingly, the average life span of a victim is only four (4) years.

In response to these revolting statistics, Justin and Rawan Shrum, with a team from the US, have established The Justice Project base in Western Germany working full time in the rescue and restoration of victims held against their wills. The Justice Project is a branch World Outreach Center, a non-profit that focuses on rescued victims of Human Trafficking, including counseling, medical care, and reintegration into society.

The group has partnered with area churches and organizations as well as government officials with this key scripture in mind: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31: NIV)

Recently, the Shrums’ have turned their focus towards purchasing a new safe house, called The Cloverleaf Center, outside of Karlsruhe, Germany. Rawan approached friends and Denver residents, Jeremiah and Jenny Watson, to ask them to put together a 5k run to benefit this effort.

Jeremiah didn’t need much convincing. After high school, Jeremiah had spent two months in India through Youth with a Mission (YWAM) an international volunteer movement of Christians, dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. One day when his team was walking through the red light district, praying for the city, they somehow ended up in a building that had floor to ceiling jail cells full of little girls. It was a children’s brothel. The image has always stuck with him so years later when his good friend Rawan and her husband Justin started The Justice Project, knew he wanted to help them in any way he could.

His wife, Jenny responded to the request with, “I can do this. I love to run, I’ve competed in enough races to direct one, and this is a great cause!” So she took on the project. She later said, “When this opportunity presented itself, Jeremiah and I both felt like it was a project our family was willing to take on, hopefully every year, to raise money for a cause we really believe in.”

Jeremiah Watson then approached the owner of Freeway and Longmont Ford, Mike Peebles, were he works as a new car salesman to be the title sponsor of the event. Mike, who is a huge philanthropist and loves encouraging others to be givers, thought it was a great idea. The dealership, as well as several of the sales guys and managers has already been supporting The Justice Fund for the last 3 years. ( It’s important to note that one hundred percent of the funds raised will be given to the purchase of The Cloverleaf Center.)

Since then the Justice Run has literally taken off. The run is professionally timed and the course is USATF certified for the competitive athlete, however, there is also a low-key walk for the non-competitive group. Kids in strollers are welcome. The first place overall Male and Female will each receive a $50 gift certificate to Boulder Running Company.

Ultimate Bounce & Sounds is providing music for the Justice Run and an inflatable for the kids. Additionally there will be a vast amount of food donated by local restaurants. Raffle prizes include: a ball & hat signed by Todd Helton, gift certificates to restaurants, tickets to concerts and more.

You can register online through the race website, www.thejusticerun.org, in person at the YMCA or Littleton Cyclery, or by Mail. There will be race day registration as well.

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