Freedom 424 Holds Annual Gala

Freedom 4/24, a Lynchburg organization that fights human trafficking, held its annual gala Sept. 6 at Spring Grove Ranch in Appomattox to come together as a community and raise money for the partners they support.

The nonprofit aims to educate people about human trafficking, both locally and internationally, with the goal of prevention. 

“It started as a T-shirt fundraiser, and we would brainstorm what we could do and how we could get this message out. And to see it at this level, it’s just something only God could do,” Freedom 4/24 founder and Liberty University alumna, Christine Gelatt said.

The group of sponsors, board members, family and supporters enjoyed a meal while listening to speakers who discussed Freedom 4/24’s real-life impact on the community. 

Abigail White, a crime and intelligence analyst from the Campbell County Sherrif’s Office, talked about her personal experience with human trafficking in the greater Lynchburg area. She encouraged attendees to donate, and she shared stories to show how Campbell County has used the resources provided by Freedom 4/24 to help exploited children. 

“If you ever doubt the value of the work that Freedom 4/24 does for us as their law enforcement partners, know that we couldn’t do this without them,” White said. “I hope that you guys leave tonight challenged and with the same passion that Freedom 4/24 has.”

April Rasmussen, a forensic nurse for Centra Health, followed White with a moving testimony of how the nonprofit has changed the way that Centra Health trains its employees in identifying trafficking victims. Rasmussen said in 2024, 19 patients have been identified as trafficking victims because of the education provided by Freedom 4/24.  Rasmussen shared stories of 6, 7 and 12-year-old girls who were saved because Centra Health staff knew how to identify trafficking victims.

Following Rasmussen, Lynchburg parents took the stage and shared about their experiences with Freedom 4/24’s parent curriculum. 

Stefanie Anderson, the principal of Altavista Combined School, spoke about the importance of supporting foundations like Freedom 4/24. Anderson wanted donors to know that they are helping to improve  students’ lives.

“We cannot forget the importance to equip them with the healthy understanding to know what a healthy physical and emotional relationship looks like,” Anderson said, speaking to the education that Freedom 4/24 provides.

The education program for students has grown and will be used in both Campbell County and Bedford County in the next year, reaching around 7,500 students. Joy Cover, the president of Freedom 4/24, urged supporters to continue making this trafficking awareness education program available to students through their donations. 

This call to action was followed by an auction, allowing everyone attending the event the opportunity to support Freedom 4/24’s cause by bidding on vacation packages.   

All the proceeds from the gala will support the partners that Freedom 4/24 reaches out to. The nonprofit has eight partners, four local and four international, which consist of many safe houses for women escaping human trafficking.

“It (the gala) generates income for the mission of Freedom 4/24, so we can continue to create curriculum, go into schools and educate parents and kids and healthcare professionals,” Bee Kirby, the administrative coordinator, said.

The leaders of Freedom 4/24 are excited to see what the future holds. Their passion for education about human trafficking has aided in the prevention of further harm for many victims, and they hope to  continue that mission going forward.

Mullet is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion.