Rotarians to host Red Sand Project, raising human trafficking awareness

HENDERSONVILLE – The Rotary Clubs of Hendersonville and Four Seasons are partnering with other local non-profits and law enforcement to bring awareness to Human Trafficking locally and around the globe.

Rotarians will sponsor the area's second annual Red Sand Project from 4-6 p.m. July 28 at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse, and the public is invited to attend and participate. Molly Gochman first launched Red Sand Project in 2014 after realizing the depths to which slavery continues to be a contemporary reality.

Globally, an estimated 50 million individuals live in slavery, whether in forced marriages, forced labor, or for sexual exploitation. She recognized that to begin finding a solution to such a widespread challenge, increased public awareness and engagement would be essential.

According to a news release, Karolyn Killian, President of Hendersonville Rotary, and Michele Garashi-Ellick, President of Four Seasons Rotary, are excited that the two clubs can work together to raise awareness about such an important issue and agree this is an excellent opportunity for local Rotarians to create lasting change in their community.

“We've invited our local partners who deal with this issue on a daily basis to join us for this special event,” said Killian in the release. There will be display tables with information on local resources, and presentations by survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. “What we really hope is that community members of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs will join us for this event to learn more about how they can get involved in making Henderson County a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Gochman initiated the first Red Sand Project action in Miami, where she filled the cracks of sidewalks in and around the Art Basel Miami Beach pavilion with red sand. The approach was symbolic, with the grains of sand representing those individuals who fall through the cracks—whether the cracks of our social, economic, and political systems or those of our personal consciousness.

“We will provide free red sand to anyone who shows up and wants to learn more or help us fill the sidewalk cracks at the Courthouse,” said Garashi-Ellick. “Human trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human rights, and one that many people believe isn't even prevalent in the United States. We hope to open people's eyes to that it can and does happen, right here in our community, and more importantly to make sure everyone knows there are resources to help those who are victims.”

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, North Carolina ranks ninth in the nation for reported cases, with 223 cases in 2021. A variety of factors make the state a prime location for both labor and sex-related trafficking, including the state's numerous military bases, status as a coastal state, major interstates and a large agricultural industry.

Both nationally and statewide, adult women made up the majority of the victims; however, men, gender minorities and minor children are also victims of both sex and labor trafficking. A website organized by Gochman provides free “red sand project toolkits” giving participants a way to physically engage with the cause and to build discussions around the action. To date, Red Sand Project actions have been done in all 50 states and in 70 countries, with more than one million participants.

Hendersonville and Four Seasons Rotary Clubs are part of Rotary District 7670 and Rotary International. The groups represent a cross-section of businesses and professions in Henderson County and encourage members to participate in service to others as part of the clubs' activities.

Funds raised by each club support various civic and educational programs throughout the community and the world, including scholarships, youth exchange programs, special needs sports, educational grants for teachers and a local downtown park. Four Seasons Rotary meets Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at Janitzio's on Spartanburg Highway, and Hendersonville Rotary meets Tuesdays at noon at Grace Lutheran Church.

More information on the clubs are available at www.hendersonvillerotary.com or www.fourseasonsrotary.org, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.