CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
EAST ALABAMA — The inaugural Worthy Squared Warriors for Freedom 5K will be held on Saturday, April 26, offering the community a chance to stand alongside survivors to advocate for dignity, freedom and an end to human trafficking.
The Warriors for Freedom 5K Race is planned in memory of Lily Alyscia Ledbetter, whose dream was to graduate from Auburn University’s School of Building Science. In 2022, she went to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands for an internship, and her life was suddenly cut short. The circumstances surrounding Lily’s death were linked to exploitation and possible trafficking, and the investigation is ongoing.
The goal of the race is to raise money for victim services and raise awareness of sex trafficking happening here in our local communities.
The Warriors for Freedom 5K will be held at the Opelika SportsPlex. The event will open with a fun 1-mile run at 8 a.m. and the 5K race will kick off at 8:30 a.m.
Registration is $25 through March 15 and will increase to $35 from March 16 through April 16. Registration on the day of the race will be $40.
Registration for the 1-Mile Fun Run is $15 through April 16 and $20 beginning April 17.
For more information and to register, visit www.worthy2.org/warriorsforfreedom5k.
Worthy Squared (originally named Redeem AL) was established in 2018 and is dedicated to advocating for adult and minor females who have been exploited through commercial sex or sex trafficking. Our mission is two-fold and focuses on two strategic points: Prevention & Intervention. We believe that to eradicate
trafficking, it is critical to prevent it from happening in the first place — to be proactive rather than reactive. We believe that through education, awareness and training, it is possible to stop the grooming and eventual sexual exploitation of our children and youth. Our team compassionately guides and mentors survivors as they navigate exiting a life of exploitation and begin a new life of renewal and restoration. Our hope is that they find their true FREEDOM and the faith to dream again…because they are WORTH IT!
To learn more about the Warriors for Freedom 5K or Worthy Squared, visit www.worthy2.org.
