Runners Raise More Than $8,000 to Fight Child Trafficking

Here are some statistics for you. As many as 2.8 million children run away from home each year, and about one-third of those end up being lured into the world of prostitution and pornography, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

According to federal statistics, the average age for children sold into the sex slave industry is 12, and approximately 80 percent of human trafficking victims are women and girls, with 50 percent being minors. The global child trafficking market brings in $1.2 billion each year, and Chicago is the fifth-largest market in the country.

Now, here are some other statistics for you. On Saturday morning, 137 local people signed up to run in the Stop Child Trafficking Now 5K at . They raised more than $8,000 in one morning to help fight this growing problem.

This is the first year Montgomery hosted a STCNow 5K, and it was organized by Montgomery resident Carolyna Castaneda. And while she was hoping for more—her fundraising goal is $10,000—she said this was a good start to what she hopes is an annual event.

SCTNow is a nationwide organization that uses funds raised in these 5K events (more than 30 of which occurred across the country) to fight child trafficking by targeting the source: the predators who drive the sex industry.

Runners and walkers showed up at Lakewood Creek Elementary at 7:30 a.m. They were treated to a performance by Montgomery resident Melvin Gray, who raps under the name Sonny Blac. Gray speaking out against child trafficking, called “When You Come Home,” and CDs of the song were on sale for $3, with proceeds going to SCTNow.

Sgt. Adam Kuncl was on hand with child ID kits, fingerprinting children for free.

The race began shortly after 9 a.m. Twenty-one minutes and 52 seconds later, Mark Mazanec of Yorkville crossed the finish line, winning the men’s race. He said while he enjoys running anyway, it was nice to do it for a good cause.

Natalie Worthington of Montgomery won the women’s race, with a time of 24:50. She said she saw local ads for Saturday’s 5K, and looked up statistics on child trafficking. A mother of two, she said she was frightened by what she found.

Both Mazanec and Worthington won new running shoes, donated by Road Runner Sports of Naperville. Worthington said she would donate hers to whoever raised the most money for STCNow.

Her sentiments were shared by many who ran in Saturday’s race. Sara Fech of Montgomery was one of the racers, as her husband John and 19-month-old son Jeremy looked on.

“I had to run in this one,” she said, referencing stories of child trafficking she had heard. “What if that were my son? I came out here for him.”

Castaneda said this year’s event pulled in more than double the total of last year’s, held in Oswego. But she’s hoping for an even bigger turnout and response next year. If you are interested in helping with next year’s 5K, contact her at montgomery@sctnow.org.