3 reasons why YOU should host a Freedom Event!
by Maddy Reid
I’ve been a supporter of The Freedom Project for a more little while now, and I can say without a doubt that one of my favourite ways to contribute to the fight to end slavery is by hosting events which raise funds and awareness for TFP’s vital work! So with that being said, here are my top 3 reasons (other than it just being a fabulous excuse for a good time!) why you should organize a Freedom Event now that things are opening up again post-lockdown!
They are a great opportunity to catch up with friends & family:
After the various lockdowns and restrictions we’ve faced over the past 2 years, it’s fair to say how much we appreciate the chance to be with the people we love, let alone to do so for a good cause!
Who better to share the news of The Freedom Project with than with those who love and take an interest in you? Advocating against human trafficking among friends and family is an extremely effective strategy; it is far more likely that they will have a willingness to listen and potentially act or even give due to your personal passion for ending human slavery.
I have definitely found this to be the case on my personal journey. My friends can most definitely testify to how passionate I am about The Freedom Project, and I am proud to say that they've been moved to the point of helping me organise a bake sale at our local markets to raise funds! This just goes to show that everyone has influence to make lasting change.
It also enables advocacy to be done within a fun and supportive environment. Information nights can be made fun and lively in the presence of friends and family by sharing a meal together, playing games or simply engaging in conversation.
Examples of this could be hosting a curry night at home like a few of my family friends did back in early June. All guests were required to bring a donation on entry. Not only did this event hold significant purpose and provide an opportunity to bless others with the hope that The Freedom Project provides, it also enabled supporters to catch up with friends and family and have some much deserved fun. Why not steal their curry night idea for yourselves? What a spicy way to celebrate the end of lockdown!
2. They are a fantastic way to get involved within your community:
In my opinion, there are very very few better ways to get involved within your community than by hosting a Freedom Event!
Hosting a Freedom Event enables you to interact with your community and share the work of The Freedom Project and its mission on a greater scale. The more people that are made aware of the global human trafficking crisis, the greater the potential for change to occur. (Can I get a ‘Woohoo!’? ) Events could be held within local schools, churches, towns halls and even the outdoors (and for those of you who have job-hunting on the horizon this sort of initiative looks great on a resume).
Hosting an event will have the potential to bring the community together and encourage individuals to work together for the greater good. Plus you may just find some new friends in the mix as well!
3. They can turn desire for change into practical action:
Since learning about the awful extent of the global human trafficking industry I’ve definitely found that by putting my passion and energy to purpose - by doing things like volunteering, advocating and hosting Freedom Events - I am often provided with a better sense of purpose. In my experience it definitely helped to provoke a deeper desire to see global action against the human trafficking industry.
Hosting a Freedom Event is easily accessible and can be done by all supporters (even your average Joe Blow)! It provides an opportunity for all supporters to get involved, and feel as though they are contributing their time and efforts to saving the lives of those oppressed by modern day slavery. Regardless of how great the outcome is of your event, all change must begin somewhere … and that somewhere might as well start with you!
““Be empowered to host a Freedom Event, knowing that it’s one step closer to radical change.””
There are many easy fundraising events that could potentially be run within your community, including:
Putting together a craft evening with a few friends!
Participating in a fun-run or marathon like I did alongside my family,
Throwing a second-hand charity auction,
Hosting a cocktail evening,
Organising a trivia night,
Or the classic sausage sizzle,
Or a school holiday car wash,
And the list goes on and on!
All these ideas can be easily achieved and take very little preparation, however they have great capacity to create GREAT change.
