Despite a busy schedule filled with travel, photo shoots, press tours, and filming her hit ABC Family series, Pretty Little Liars, Shay Mitchell always makes time to help out a worthwhile cause.
One mission she’s incredibly passionate about is preventing sex trafficking, and she works closely with the Somaly Mam Foundation, a non-profit that “works to eradicate human trafficking, liberate its victims, and empower survivors so they can create and sustain lives of dignity,” to raise awareness. And in her latest endeavor to raise funds for SMF’s PROJECT RESCUE, Shay is joining forces with 18for18, and planning on making a big jump…from an airplane, that is!
The big-hearted PLL star, promises to skydive from 18,000 ft in the air to raise $50,000 in funds! Check out her personal letter to fans below for more details:
Hi Everyone,
This year I’m committed to helping project 18for18 in their efforts to stop sex trafficking worldwide. Last year 18for18 had a simple goal; raise $18,000 by skydiving 18,000ft to help the fight against sex trafficking. This year we are jumping for much more. We are trying to raise $50,000 to fund The Somaly Mam Foundations PROJECT RESCUE. This can cover an entire year of costs for the foundations rescue missions in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, where children as young as 3 are being sold for as little as 50US dollars and forced to service up to 25 clients a day. These women and children have no real support system on the outside, making escape or rescue almost impossible. This is where we join the fight. With over 7000 rescues since the beginning of her fight, CNN Hero Somaly Mam has been on the forefront of the battle against sex trafficking, and a shinning light for these women and children.
Our goal is to make sure that no woman or child ever reaches out for help, and can’t receive it because of lack of funding. One day, one jump, one goal, Will you help us? Last year our amazing team of volunteers and celebrities got together and raised over $38,000 and they only had 10 days to do this year we have 3 weeks but we need your donations!
The goal is attainable,
The solution is tangible, Join us in the fight for life, The fight for freedom…
Additionally, here is a moving PSA Shay did for the Somaly Mam Foundation:
Other celebs who are teaming up with Shay in the fight against sex slavery include Serinda Swan, Russell Simmons, Wilmer Valderrama and Mechad Brooks. If you wish to contribute in any way to “18for18″ and help Shay Mitchell raises money for PROJECT RESCUE please visit her official fundraising page: http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=207070.
So tell us: Will you be joining Shay Mitchell and the Somaly Mam Foundation in their amazing mission to eradicate human trafficking?
