i want to announce my friend kelly’s non-profit organization: Quest 4 Recovery. Quest 4 Recovery supports the recovery of children that have been kidnapped for exploitation purposes. i’m so impressed with this organization and mission, i can’t even tell you.
wait, yes i can.
before i jump into my interview with kelly and talk about their next benefit, watch even a minute of the documentary that inspired them to start this nonprofit. in fact, proceeds from their upcoming backyard benefit are going to project child save and ty ritter will be at this event in dallas! warning: this video is disturbing.
i caught up with kelly and gabby at their first fundraiser at kendra scott in preston center.
1. who is all involved in Quest 4 Recovery?
Gabriela Garcia, Tara Banda and you!
2. why is this a passion of yours?
While pregnant with my second baby, I watched the A&E documentary on Project Child Save . It affected me so much that approximately 18 months later, I was still thinking about their organization. I wanted to help and felt it needed to be more than just me writing a check. I mentioned it to Gabby and she was just as inspired as I was and we came up with the idea of starting a non-profit. A charity for charities, if you will. An organization that supports and champions for all non-profits trying to help kids escape exploitation.
3. what is the mission?
To raise funds and awareness for nonprofits that are helping children escape sexual slavery and exploitation Whether it’s an organization that assists in physical recovery of a child or helps with emotional repercussions after the rescue. We can be their advocate.
4. where do donations go to and is there a goal that you’re aiming for?
After our costs for a fundraising event are recouped (I.e. venue rental, food, beverages, etc.) all funds will go back to the non-profit we were highlighting.
For example, on October 24th, 2015 we are hosting a fundraiser for Ty Ritter’s Project Child Save. They are a group of ex-military men/women that rescue children from foreign, hostile, and often corrupt territories. Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, you name it. Child pornography and trafficking of children is so profitable that many countries will turn a blind eye if not fully support it, albeit covertly. These children must be taken back by these brave men and women because they are never going to get out unless someone goes and gets them. The local law enforcement won’t help and is often in on the operation. Project Child Save fills in the gap. If they could buy back a child, they would. Unfortunately, with the internet you can sell a child a hundred times over with little to no risk and it’s only going to get worse unless there are more organizations like PCS willing to take the risk to save the kids.
5. what has been the most challenging thing so far in starting a charity?
Just the trial by fire we’re going through now! We’re four women that are passionate about helping Ty’s group but we aren’t professional fundraisers. However, neither was Susan G. Komen when she started out. Passion and commitment is what we have and so far it’s working. Awareness is everything. It leads to all good things when trying to raise money for the true heroes taking real risks.
for those of you in dallas, please consider coming to an awesome event supporting project child save. ty ritter is flying in from california, excited to have others supporting his cause of saving kids. it would mean so much to me, kelly and the team to have you attend. click here for tickets!
