Harding will host the Color for a Cause 5K on the campus intramural fields on Feb. 28. The Color for a Cause 5K is being held to raise awareness of human trafficking while raising funds to renovate an old building in Oak Ridge, LA into a shelter for girls who have been saved from human trafficking.
The event is being directed primarily by freshmen Taylor Mayfield, Kassie Stanfield, Mandy Clyde andJake Black.
Mayfield said his close friend and partner in ministry recently acquired a large property, but wasn’t sure what to use the property for. The two prayed that God would deliver a purpose for the structure.
“Upon telling my friends that I had a fantastic ministry opportunity open up before me, they immediately began brainstorming what they could do to help,” Mayfield said. “Friends will hope for things to happen in our lives we haven’t even thought of yet. And that’s what they did for me.”
Stanfield has had experience planning similar events for non-profit organizations in the past and used her skills to benefit the cause.
“Approximately every 30 seconds a girl gets taken into human trafficking, and the average ages of these girls are 11-14,” Stanfield said. “This is a horrifying problem and if this safe house can impact and improve even one of these girls’ lives, then I would love to do everything that I can.”
The Color for a Cause 5K run is similar to many other ‘color’ races. Runners should come to the race wearing a white T-shirt. At various locations throughout the race, they will run through different color stations. Each station will have a new color of dye that will be thrown as the runners pass through. At the end of the race, all participants will be covered in color for an opportunity for photos and fun.
“We want people to be aware that this is not strictly a race,” Mayfield said. “It will be casual, so walk, run and go at your own pace. This is designed to increase the knowledge about the evil that is human trafficking and raise money for a unique ministry opportunity, not about who has the fastest time.”
According to the Color for a Cause 5K website, all the money from this event will benefit the renovation of the safe house. The house will give the girls a place to get back on their feet while being surrounded by a Christian and loving environment.
Preregistration ends today. Individuals can register for $15 and teams of four can register for $50. Standard registration extends to the day of the race and costs $20 for individuals and $60 for teams. Participants can register at www.colorforacausesearcy.com.
