I’m running 5K's all day (from 6 am to 6 pm) so others can be free from modern slavery. When people have asked what I'm training for, I've been saying the Dam to DSM (a popular 1/2 marathon here in Des Moines) but I'm really doing the Dam to DSM to train for Break the Cycle 5K All Day! It feels like such a joy and privilege to do what I love for such a good reason. 

There are times when my running feels selfish as it takes time away from my family and from doing other important tasks, it helps me stay fit and strong and feel good about myself. But for this event, it brings the love for others in need to the forefront of what I'm doing... to value human life, to bring awareness to an incredible injustice silently happening down the street and around the world, to speak through action for those who cannot. 

And about that human life thing. We got a dog this past fall. She's stinkin' cute and feels more and more like a part of our family everyday. The kids adore her! We recently got her groomed, spayed, had a hernia fixed, and she had heart worm exam. Several hundred dollars later I realized: Puppies are expensive. People spend a ton of money on their pets. Me included! But goodness! Why does it feel so hard to give money to a cause that fights against the evil towards HUMANS and working towards making it better?

If you spent a few hundo on your dog in the last year or perhaps on your car wash pass, how about maybe just $50 towards the important work of saving someone out of trafficking. If you are up for helping in this way, I bet there is someone out there who will be extremely grateful that you gave. For myself and for that person I'll say "Thank you!" Love you all!

-Jodi

*pictured above is my former track runner from DMCS, Linnea. Now a mom, teacher, and coach herself, she lives her life enthusiastically for others. When I asked her to join us in the run last year, there was no hesitation. With her energy, joy, and selfless love toward others, she is an inspiration to me. It was a blast to participate in this event with her last year!

And in case you were wondering, here are some shocking statistics.

-Human trafficking is one of the largest criminal industries in the world.

-It is a $150 billion industry and growing annually.

-There are currently an estimated 40.3 million people enslaved around the globe.

-71% of these 40.3 million victims are women and girls.

-1 in every 4 victims of modern slavery globally is a child.

This list, unfortunately, goes on, but that's why we need to come together to put a stop to it now!

5K All Day // One Purpose // End Modern Slavery