James Ihedigbo Partners With Gridlock Ministries to Tackle Human Trafficking

Schaumburg, IL, November 2, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​ This Thanksgiving, as the Chicago Bears battle the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, the most valuable player won't be intercepting passes or sacking the opposing team's quarterback. In fact, he wont be on the field at all. Instead, Detroit Lions Safety James Ihedigbo will be on the jumbotron in the Bart Starr Fan Zone tackling the issue of child sex trafficking.

Ihedigbo is partnering with Chicago-based anti-trafficking organization Gridlock Ministries to promote awareness about the commercial exploitation of children in America by starring in a 30-second public service announcement that will debut on Thanksgiving Day and air at various venues during the 2015-2016 football season.

As founder of the Hope Africa Foundation, Ihedigbo is a long-time supporter of causes that empower disenfranchised youth and a welcome addition to Gridlock Ministries' advocacy team. "We are thrilled and honored that James has graciously volunteered to serve as a spokesperson for our organization," said Christine Buckley, Gridlock's founder. "In doing so, he is giving a voice to thousands of children who have been silenced by predators." 

Approximately 300,000 children are at risk of being trafficked each year in the US. The average age at which a child is forced or lured into the sex trade is 13. Gridlock Ministries combats child trafficking by conducting rescue operations and providing a variety of recovery services including housing, health care, mentoring, job skills training and college scholarships. You can support Gridlock's efforts to combat modern day slavery by participating in their Fall Freedom Fest online auction at www.32auctions.com/freedom-fest.