The season of giving is close at hand. In celebration of the spirit of community , Free the Slaves is spotlighting some of most inspiring donors in our original film series, “Why I Free Slaves.”
These short profiles tell the deeply personal stories of people who support our crucial work: a psychologist, a teacher, an author, an actor, an investor, and a rabbi. Each video illustrates the true meaning of charity. Each donor is a reminder that slavery exists—and with your support we can fight it.
We’re pulled together excerpts of six profiles into an amazing compilation. It’s just three minutes long, but it reveals the spiritual, moral, educational, personal, practical and philanthropic reasons that people decide to take a stand for freedom by supporting the front-line anti-trafficking programs of Free the Slaves.
Our Donors Give the Gift of Freedom
- The Psychologist: Sheila Siegel, of Los Angeles, teaches local activists to help traumatized former slaves heal and stay free. “The people I work with are so incredibly grateful. There’s a lot of ways to get involved. You can always write a check. You can talk about slavery. You can inform other people.”
- The Teacher: Robert Birk, of Potomac, Maryland, creates opportunities for his students to fight slavery. His 8th-grade class donated $4,200 to Free the Slaves. Many gave school presentations on modern slavery. “Here’s an opportunity to participate in something bigger than ourselves. The results were overwhelming.”
- The Author: James Hannaham, of Brooklyn, writes about modern slavery to help right a wrong. Slavery is not history—it exists today. “Slavery is one of the most hidden and yet prevalent issues facing the world right now. If you want to live a life of integrity, to know these things is to take responsibility.”
- The Actress: Virginia Williams, of Los Angeles, wants to safeguard freedom for future generations. “In Nepal we met so many people who had broken free of slavery with the help of Free the Slaves. A lot of these people now have hope and have joy, and are now excited about the future and their children’s future.”
- The Investor: Margaret Graff, of Atlanta, started donating a dime to charity as a child—today she is a major philanthropist. “To those who think you’re not in a position to make a real difference, to have real impact: I want you to know that philanthropy is addictive.” Start small, and giving will grow by the season.
- The Rabbi: Debra Orenstein, of New Jersey, urges members of her synagogue to get involved in freeing slaves. She embodies compassion and commands action. “I want to help raise consciousness in the Jewish community. You have to go out and help someone else be free.”
See their moving stories. Please share with everyone you know. Freedom is a basic human right. Donating to Free the Slaves makes freedom possible for thousands suffering in slavery around the world. This holiday season, take a stand for freedom.
