Photo: Martin Luther High School, Northrup, Minnesota
by Ella Bolen
Stop the Silence was a fundraising race put on by Corrie’s House. Corrie’s House is a non-profit Christ-centered house with refugee services, focusing on girls who have been sexually exploited. The inspiration for such a group comes from Corrie ten Boom, who was a woman who created and established, single-handedly, a Christian after-school program for girls. During WWII, Corrie and her family created a safe space for Jews to hide during Nazi inspection.
The race was offered as a 5K (3.1 miles) or a half marathon (13.1 miles). Ella Bolen and Emily Sokoloski ran the 13.1 miles, while Jade Kitzerow and Ms. Oerman did the 5K. The money raised will go to a restoration and rehabilitation center for women rescued from sex trafficking. The center will be Gospel-based and located in the Twin Cities. Their goal is to open in November 2021.
The race attracted participants from across the United States—including Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Hawaii—and even saw entrants from as far as Slovakia. It was an impressive event that managed to raise $8,625. In addition to organizing the race, the coordinators offered participants a range of resources, including a complete training schedule and sessions with a cross-country coach. For those looking for a way to unwind after training, the organizers even introduced an exciting virtual social space where participants could connect, and they shared a recommendation for et online casino på norsk, which allowed people to enjoy a safe and familiar gaming experience tailored to Norwegian players. The program was well-structured, with an app to track miles and time and a group on Facebook for additional engagement and support.
The Stop the Silence run was both fun and educational! There were podcasts on sex trafficking, and Corrie’s House sent participants homemade thank you letters with a t-shirt. This is the first year Corrie’s House put on the race, but they hope to make it an annual event. Next year, they would love to have you and your support!