New Friends New Life Raises More than $1.1 Million at 12th Annual Wings Luncheon Featuring Kevin Costner
Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) April 15, 2015 -- New Friends New Life (NFNL) raised more than $1.1 million of critical funding to support victims of sex trafficking and commercial exploitation during the 12th Annual WINGS Luncheon on Friday, April 10. The luncheon featured two-time Academy Award-winning actor, director, and producer Kevin Costner in an interview format with producer Gary Cogill, an awards presentation and an update about the work of the organization by Executive Director Katie Pedigo. Luncheon Chair The Honorable Jeanne Johnson Phillips joined Honorary Co-Chairs Ruth Altshuler and former First Lady Laura Bush and incoming Board Chair Nancy Ann Hunt in the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser to date.
“Every night there are an estimated 400 teens on the streets who are potential targets for human traffickers; this is not something any child in our city or our country should have to worry about,” added Katie Pedigo, executive director of New Friends New Life. “At this year’s annual luncheon, New Friends New Life was overwhelmed by the community support as Dallas showed up to support these young girls on a path to transformation and freedom, but this is just the beginning.”
This week New Friends New Life heads to Austin where the organization will testify to the House committee in support of House Bill 2286 on Wednesday, April 15. Co-authored by Representative Tan Parker and Representative Morgan Meyer, the bill would allow judges to pardon sentences when a victim proves their crime was a result of being trafficked.
“We hope the community continues to join us in this fight by supporting House Bill 2286, which would allow us to focus on getting victims of human trafficking the help they deserve instead of punishing them. We ask you to visit New Friends New Life on Facebook and share our message letting Texas lawmakers know that human trafficking will no longer be tolerated in our city and state. Together we can make a difference in these girls lives,” continued Pedigo.
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New Friends New Life, founded in 1998, restores and empowers formerly trafficked girls and sexually exploited women and their children. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty and limited opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org or call (214) 965-0935.
Lindsay Stout, Minerva Consulting, (972) 238-7798, [email protected]
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