Today was the first day of LIFE Week at the University of San Diego. Living. Is. For. Everyone. LIFE. Co-sponsored by Students For Life, University Ministry, Associated Students, Students for Peace, Women’s Center, Romero Center, Residential Life, and the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies LIFE Week is dedicated to bringing awareness to different life issues. Each day this week, in conjunction with LIFE Week I will be posting on the corresponding topic to the day.

I am not for sale. You are not for sale. No one should be for sale.

Author and co-founder of the Not For Sale Campaign, David Batstone, gave a multi-media presentation this evening. Musical artists Novice and Brant Christopher accented the presentation. I do not know if my words can represent the caliber of this evening, but I will try… and I will let the facts speak for themselves.

Today, March 30, 2009, there are 27 million people enslaved. Slavery, as defined by the U.S. Constitution’s 13th Amendment is “involuntary servitude.” Is this person free to leave? Has she been forced? Is he confined? Human trafficking generates $32 BILLION a year. There are 800,000-900,000 people bought and sold and 200,000 of those are in the United States. The vast majority of those being trafficked are women (80%) and 50% are children. One million individuals are bought and sold for sex.

These are a handful of statistics, but the numbers are overwhelming. In many ways, they are hard to grasp. For me, it is hard to imagine that slavery still exists in my backyard. It is not simply a matter of low wages or people being paid under the table (which isn’t to say that that is simple). It is also not a matter of employees being treated poorly and unjustly. It is slavery. It should have been eradicated long, long ago. But, it’s not gone. People are bought and sold. Can you imagine it? Think of your friends. Your family: your sisters, brothers, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, mothers, aunts, and cousins. Your students. Your clients. Think of the people you know, especially the youth, and imagine others of the same age as slaves. Chained to sewing machines. Pleasing adults clients. Picking fruit. They are not paid and they cannot leave. They are a commodity to be bought and sold. Tell me it doesn’t make you sick. 

Novice included in one of his songs the distinction that we care more about the soles on our shoes that the souls of people. We have the power within us to make that NOT TRUE. There are many ways that we can get involved. 

WORK Differently

Check out FREE2WORK. If you are a business of one, 10, 50, 500, or more… become a part of FREE2WORK. If you are an individual, consider whether the places you go are free. For example, when you’re planning an event, check to see that the restaurant or venue you are choosing has committed to be slave-free. 

BUY Differently

If 20% of consumers shopped differently, it would make an impact on the way companies did business. Imagine instead of 1 in 5 shoppers though, if 2 or 3 or 100% of shoppers demanded ethics and slave-free items available for purchase. Not For Sale is currently running a chocolate campaign… if you can commit to purchasing slave-free chocolate, it will make a difference. You may wonder, but how will it make a difference? You can print a “proof of non-purchase” to distribute to locations that do not carry slave-free chocolate. 

PLAY Differently

Still not sure how you can help? What do YOU like to do? Do you play soccer? Run? Play music? Swim? Ice skate? What if you made a pledge to donate to Not For Sale … whether it be $5 every time you run five miles or a nickel every time you make a basket or $50 for every time you play a certain song. You make the choice. How do you play? All kids should be free to play.

RELATE Differently

We need to relate differently and if we work, buy, and play differently… we will relate differently. We have the power to make a difference. We can end slavery. We can be a part of the change. As Brant Christopher sang, “this too shall be made right.” Let’s pray that we can make it right sooner rather than later. If we pay attention, listen, learn, share, fight, believe… we can re-abolish slavery. Human trafficking can come to an end.

LIVE DIFFERENTLY

I bought Batstone’s book Not For Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade—and How We Can Fight It tonight after his presentation, so this definitely won’t be the last you’ll hear on this. I was told the book might “ruin” me. As if the presentation didn’t? It did and I’m glad. I hope the book does too. My understanding on slavery and human trafficking was deepened in unbelievable ways this evening and I will continue to raise awareness and do the best I can to fight slavery. I will stand up as an abolitionist to re-abolish slavery.

What will you do?

As an alum, I try to do my part and publicize the events going on at USD… particularly for the organizations I was involved in as a student. This evening, I present the schedule for the 4th Annual LIFE Week hosted by Students for Life. LIFE Week will begin on Monday, March 30th.

Click To View and Download

I’m simply doing what I can to spread the message in addition to my own prayers.

Words of love poured out in that church today. Story after story of Paul’s character, his life, and his love. Paul was truly special to each of us and he made each person feel like they were blessings in his life as well. “He had heart,” said an old coach. “That smile,” said another. Genuine. Love. Family. Sincere. Stubborn. Pride. HEART. A handful of words that only begin to sum up the man that we remembered today. The two pastors that spoke brought peace to this sadness and the two songs were wonderful. It was certainly wonderful to have our old high school principal sing “Amazing Grace.” The slideshow… pictures certainly are worth a thousand words. Tears flowed freely in that packed church… tears of missing, longing, dreaming, and remembering.

We *will* remember you Paul, your life and legacy will remain with us always. We knew how much you cared for us; you never left room for doubt there. Go big or go home. We’ll do our best and we know you’ll be watching us. And our love? It will remain the same. Rest in peace Paul, we miss you so much. 

You’ll find better love
Strong as it ever was 
Deep as the river runs
Warm as the morning sun 
Please remember me 

For the next four days, you can GET 30% off your purchase at Gap, Banana Republic, & Old Navy and they will GIVE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 5% of your purchase. It starts today (March 12th) and goes through the weekend.

Shop to fight cancer! Print your coupon here and use it as many times in the next for days as you want! Everyone wins… you get those new summer clothes, Gap gets sales, and LLS benefits to research for cancer!

It is both humbling and devastating to see the stats of how many people have stumbled upon this blog in search of information about their friends. I saw it when JD passed away in August… and I still get hits from people looking for him even now. And this morning when I woke, I was blown away by how many people have visited since I wrote my simple goodbyes yesterday afternoon (and EVEN MORE since I started writing this). See for yourself (know that any given time, these aren’t wholly accurate representations of the number of people visiting):

Paul was definitely loved and cared for individual… I knew it before and now I can see it in the numbers. His brother posted an event on Facebook for the memorial next Saturday, so I thought I would pass that information along here since so many have reached my site and the event doesn’t seem to come up with a Google search.

Memorial for Paul Johnsonbaugh
Saturday, March 14, 2009
11am – 3pm
Ventura Missionary Church
500 High Point
Ventura, CA 93003 

Let us both surround his family with our love and show our love for our friend in whatever ways we’re able… be it attending or simply lighting a candle in his memory.

I still can’t believe he’s gone.

ETA: Updated to add a link to the obituary in the Ventura County Star; there is also a guestbook there to sign. I encourage those of you who have left comments here to also share your words with his family (though be sure that I will pass along your comments as well).

I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it. I feel like that phone call wasn’t really and this isn’t true. We still talk about Jason’s 18th birthday and joke that we’re gunna stay “to the left.” Our hearts are breaking for your family’s loss Paul… for our loss. You’re supposed to be here. We will be there to celebrate your life in the coming days and we’ll hold you forever in our hearts. Say hi to JD, Coach Scott, and our many other Buena Bulldogs that have gone already.

Rest in Peace Johnsonbaugh… we miss you.

Dear and Darling Readers, Friends, and Family,

My friend Maria is an Occupational Therapist here in San Diego and she is currently providing therapy for a little boy named Ian. She’s holding a fundraiser for Ian on March 28th, 2009 in San Diego. I know there is a good chance that many of you are thinking, “Another fundraiser?! Girl, we are not made of money.” But, I would like to encourage you to read Ian’s story. I ask that you click these photo links at the bottom of this post and read what Maria has written. I ask that you read the article from the Union Tribune about the accident and Ian’s parents. I ask that you consider what you can do… be it donation, attendance, prayer, donation at his website, or SPREADING THE WORD.

I never in a million years would have expected that I could have raised the $4500+ that I raised last summer for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Most people heard me say, “I’m crazy, but I’m going to try. I’m going to tri.” I even said it in my original letter! It was unbelievably difficult, but I did it with the help of others. Your donations added up and made a HUGE difference. Your donations and support impacted my life, but more importantly, they made an impact on the Society’s efforts to help those that are fighting the real fight.

Now, we can come together again to help this little boy get the therapy and treatment he needs to have a better quality of life… the therapy and treatment he needs to one day walk and SURF again. We can help. YOU can help.

Spread the word. Share this link… and download the files below and share them directly. READ his story (I’ll also be adding a link to his site in the blogroll on the side).

Thank you.

As a TNT alum, I still get emails weekly about fundraisers and other events taking place in the San Diego area… I wanted to pass the following information along from a message I received today.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is sponsoring a blood drive on Tuesday, March 24th (see below for more details).

The email also states:

We are also hosting a drive for the Bone Marrow Registry in conjunction with the Blood Drive.  This is a totally non-invasive procedure; it just takes a cheek swab to register.  You may call 619-400-8268 if you have any questions about the Bone Marrow Registry process.

 You may qualify to be a marrow or blood stem cell donor if you:
•     Are between the ages of 18 and 60
•     Have no history of asthma, cancer, diabetes, neck or back problems, heart or circulatory disease
•     Are within 20% of the ideal weight for your height and age set by the NMDP®
•     Are willing to donate to anyone who needs a transplant

I’ve copied the location and registration information from the email and posted it below, if you able, please consider attending. If you are unable to attend this particular drive, please be aware that there are blood banks all over the United States and most accept walk-ins or have appointments available. Consider being a blood donor. Also, even if you cannot attend this drive, you can become a registered bone marrow donor in other ways as well.