The Sixth Annual “Run 4 The Cause,” a 5K Fun Run to support Christy’s Cause, will take place on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. at North Collier Reginal Park located at 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, Florida, 34109. Christy’s Cause is a local non-profit working to eradicate child sex trafficking and exploitation through education, awareness, restoration projects, and justice initiatives. “With the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children experiencing a 98.66% increase in online enticement reports between January and September of 2020 versus the same period in 2019, more children than ever before are sexually exploited online. Less than 1% of all sex trafficking victims are ever identified,” said Christy Ivie, founder of Christy’s Cause. “Human Trafficking ties second as the largest global enterprise with Florida ranking third in the nation for reported cases.  Join us as we make a difference in the lives of those who desperately need our help.” In 2020, despite the COVID epidemic, the event virtually reached thousands and raised more than $85,000.  The 2021 goal is 350 in-person/virtual participants and $100,000. The event will include a safe, professionally-timed 5K Run with an 80’s theme. The event will follow CDC guidelines to ensure a safe and excellent experience.  The run will begin at 8 a.m., concluding with an awards ceremony at 9 a.m.  Every runner will receive a participation medal, t-shirt, and swag bag. Placement awards will be given to the best ’80s themed team, top overall male and female runners, top boy and girls ages 5-10, and top males and females in the following age groups: 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.  The first 235 participants will receive a custom Run 4 the Cause medal, with additional participants receiving a placement medal. The fee to participate is $30.00 per person plus a $3.00 signup fee.  The price increases to $35.00 per person after March 16th.  Registration on race day is $45.00 per person. Those running on a team will receive a 10% discount after their Team Leader registers. Registrants will receive a swag bag that includes a quality race t-shirt, a disposable bib.  Runners will be given an integrated timing tag on race day. Christy’s Cause is focused on providing a fun, competitive, and safe event. Race protocols go above and beyond the mandatory requirements from the CDC and Collier County. But, for individuals who are not in the mindset to return to live in-person events, a virtual platform will allow participants to choose the safe location of their choice and run the event independently. Virtual participants will receive the same event goodies as those in attendance. Event Partners include Coconut Point Ford, Ocean Church, Alico Inc., Callahan Brothers Moving and Storage, Wayne Smith Family Foundation, Wealth Managers LLC, Dominion Contracting, and Wells Fargo Bank. Additional partnership opportunities are available. For more information or to register, visit www.christyscause.com. About Christy’s Cause Christy’s Cause, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization launched in Estero, Florida, in 2015 to eradicate child sex trafficking and exploitation through education, public awareness, restoration projects, and justice initiatives.  Christy’s Cause collaborates with existing organizations that are providing services to victimized minors locally, nationally, and globally.  Christy’s Cause works to create awareness through speaking engagements, public service announcements, social media initiatives, and community events. To effectively understand issues concerning the commercial sexual exploitation of children, Christy’s Cause stays informed and educated by networking with law enforcement, state agencies, educators, health professionals, and service providers.  Christy’s Cause believes that as our community becomes more knowledgeable on the issues of sex trafficking, we become more powerful in fighting against this epidemic. For more information about Christy’s Cause, visit www.ChristysCause.com, email info@christyscause.com or follow Christy’s Cause on Facebook and Instagram.