ABOUT ELEVATE FREEDOM 2022 CAMPAIGN
This Summer, you can Elevate Freedom for women exploited one step at a time! This family-friendly campaign is for everyone who cares about bringing freedom and empowerment to women and children enduring exploitation around our globe. No matter if you’re an elite hiker scaling Mt. Rainer or plan on conquering daily walks around your neighborhood, you are welcomed and wanted, and YOU can make a difference! As an Elevate Freedom community, we have a goal to reach a collective 40 million steps in solidarity with the estimated 40 million people trafficked worldwide and to raise $40,000 to directly support the empowering programming of Not Abandoned.
 
Not Abandoned recognizes the hopelessness felt by women trapped in exploitation and have been able to help over 5,000 women experience freedom through their Freedom Centers in Thailand and Spain. They provide language classes, job skills training and employment placement, trauma-informed, counseling, emergency resources, health & wellness programs, supportive community, and prevention programs. Without a clear path to freedom, exploited women endure constant sexual and financial abuse, lack of access to non-exploitative work, forced separation from those they love and an undeserving but unrelenting cycle of shame. But, it doesn’t have to be this way.
 
Join us as an individual, a family, or as an entire team. (Special note: For those of you who are hiking or participating with an extra challenge such as heart disease, cancer, depression, or mobility differences, your steps will count for double through our Hiking and Equity activity points. We want to celebrate the extra effort you’re putting in!) Together, we will grow healthier one step at a time, as she is empowered one step at a time! Together, we will Elevate Freedom!
 
Registration opens May 29th and log steps with us until July 23rd.
 
Schedule for Organized Hikes
 
June 18th – Redmond Watershed Preserve- 4.3mi RT (Easy)Meet at trailhead at 8:30am
 
June 25th – Little Si – 4.4 RT (Moderate) (Discover Pass Required)Meet at trailhead at 8:30am
 
July 9th – Teneriffe Falls - 5.4 RT (Moderate) (Discover Pass Required) Meet at trailhead at 8:30am
 
July 16th -– Cherry Creek Falls – 5 mi RT (Easy) Meet at trailhead at 8:30am
 
July 23rd – Sammamish River Trail: 3mi RT (Easy)Meet in back parking lot of Overlake at 8:30am
 
Local Hiking Trails in our Neighborhoods!
 
Redmond
Redmond Powerline Trail
Redmond Watershed Preserve
Redmond Ridge Trail
Marymoor Park
Evans Creek Preserve
Soaring Eagle Regional Park
 
Kirkland
Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail
St Edwards State Park
Big Finn Hill Park
O.O. Denny Park
 
Woodinville/Bothell
Paradise Valley Conservation Area
Tolt Pipeline Trail
Shelton View Park
North Creek Trail
 
Bellevue
Coal Creek Trail
Weowna Park
Lake to Lake Trail
Mercer Slough Nature Park
Kelsey Creek Park
 
Issaquah Area
Cougar Mountain Trails
Tiger Mountain Trails
Squak Mountain Trails
Grand Ridge Park
 
FITNESS GOAL
COMPLETED: 22,123,070 steps
TARGET: 40,000,000 steps
FUNDRAISING GOAL
RAISED: $ 16,653
TARGET: $ 40,000
HOW IT WORKS
Register for the campaign and set your fitness & fundraising targets.
Click here to set-up your devices (Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, Health Connect By Android, Misfit, Strava), or download our iOS or Android apps.
Share your story and raise funds & awareness.
Track workouts anywhere & anytime and complete goal.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
NOT ABANDONED
Not Abandoned empowers freedom for women and children exploited and vulnerable in the darkest places around the world.

Read more about the organization >>

HOW YOUR PARTICIPATION HELPS
I know that when it comes to injustice as complex as the exploitation of women, it can be overwhelming knowing how to help. That’s why I’m excited to join the Elevate Freedom campaign benefiting Not Abandoned-- I get to actually make a difference in the lives of women and children being exploited and I get to do it all while also challenging myself to be heathier! We’re all a work in progress… the key is, one step at a time!

I will be counting my steps daily through walks, runs, and hikes and I am asking that you join me as a sponsor in this campaign. Every step I take is an act of allyship and support to the women and children Not Abandoned works with through their Freedom Centers around the world. Their team often encourages students recovering from trauma and learning new skills, “one step at a time.” The road to freedom and empowerment can be long, but it doesn’t have to be lonely.

Not Abandoned recognizes the hopelessness of women trapped in exploitation and have been able to help over 5,000 women experience freedom through services provided at their Freedom Centers in Thailand and Spain, where they work with exploited women and vulnerable communities plagued by some of the worst trafficking in the world. They provide language classes, job skills training and employment placement, trauma-informed, counseling, emergency resources, health & wellness programs, supportive community, and prevention programs. Without a clear path to freedom, exploited women endure constant sexual and financial abuse, lack of access to non-exploitative work, forced separation from those they love and an undeserving but unrelenting cycle of shame.

There are an estimated 40 million people trafficked in our world today. Elevate Freedom has a goal to walk 40 million steps in solidarity and to raise $40,000 to directly fund the work of Not Abandoned’s programs that help remove barriers to freedom and empower women with self-confidence, restorative hope, and practical support to live free.

I’d like to invite you to help make a difference through supporting me, and my steps forward, in this Elevate Freedom campaign. Because of the hope created through these efforts with Not Abandoned, your generosity is literally changing the destiny of a woman’s
life, one step at a time!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Charity Footprints?

Charity Footprints is a social enterprise that connects fitness and charitable giving. We empower people just like you, to get fit & give back.

Our Virtual Races allow non-profits to challenge their patrons to run, walk or ride and raise funds just as they would in a fundraising walkathon. The best part - charities save over 45% in event and logistical costs. So, the dollars that you pay to register or fundraise, go farther.

What is the campaign registration fee?

Campaign registration fee is the amount that you'll need to pay to enroll in this virtual race. This fee (less transaction charges) will go to the non-profit running this campaign as a donation.

The registration fee along with the funds raised through your individual fundraising page will enable the non-profit to fund various programs and pursue their organization's mission.

How can I create my fundraising page?

Well, you wouldn't have to create a separate fundraising page. Once you register for this campaign, we'll give you the link to your fundraising page.

How will I track my distance?

You can track your workouts by setting up your devices (Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, Health Connect By Android, Misfit, Strava), or download the Charity Footprints' iOS or Android app and track your workouts toward this campaign. ?>

If you workout indoors (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike etc.), you can upload your workouts here.

How do I join a team on this campaign?

While registering for the campaign, select the team you'd like to join or create a new team and invite others to #GetFitGiveBack with you. If you want to join a team (or create your team) after registration, login to the campaign site and you would find a link to edit "My Team" in the menu under your profile in the header.

I am an international donor (non-US), what are my donation charges and tax-deductibility?

All donations are made in US dollars, so the donations may be levied an exchange rate fee via your bank. Donors will want to connect with their bank to determine exactly what that fee may be. Additionally, international donors will need to reach out to a tax professional to discuss if and how tax deductibility will apply to their donation.

Who can sponsor my fundraising efforts?

The short answer is - everyone. The fundraising research shows that the number one reason for people not donating is that they weren't asked to.

That said, there are things you can do to attract people to sponsor you. Adding a picture to your fundraising page, telling potential donors why this cause is so personal to you, sharing your fundraising page on social media, email, and chat groups.

Last, if your employer has a gift matching program, check with the human resources department to support your favorite cause as well.

Who can I contact if I need help?

You can contact us any time if you need help. We love hearing from our users so please don't hesitate to write to us about issues, suggestions, or to just say hi. You can also contact the non-profit administrator directly if you would like.

How do I change or switch my team?

If you want to join a team (or create your team) after registration, login to the campaign site and you would find a link to edit "My Team" in the menu under your profile in the header.