Because most of our days at Love146 are filled with dealing with some of the darkest stories imaginable, our hearts have learned to break and grieve. But for this very same reason, we have also learned to be deliberate in celebrating hope and embracing joy. It’s what keeps us sane. It’s what keeps us alive.

We celebrate the news of children who are rescued from a life of slavery and exploitation. We celebrate, when a child who spent previous Christmas’s in a brothel is now able to go home. We celebrate when people join the fight to end child sex slavery and exploitation. We celebrate when people engage with our work to protect and defend the innocent and vulnerable, and to restore and empower survivors.

This past Friday was one of those days where we felt as if fuel was being poured on our fires of hope and joy. And the fuel came from an unexpected source. I was made aware of the efforts of Jen and John at a site called Cake Wrecks, who chose Love146 as one of their charities for their “Cake Wreck Challenge.” They are not only helping to raise funds for our work, but awareness about the reality of child slavery and exploitation as well. Apparently, not only do Jen and John have generous hearts (and a great sense of humor), but they have a legion of followers who enjoy “professional cakes gone horribly and hilariously wrong.”

Jen describes her followers (known as “Wreckies) as “an astoundingly giving group of individuals, in every way.” And she’s right. Since Friday, they have raised over $8000 for our work. Jen says; “It's inspiring to see how a group with little to give individually can achieve great things together.”

For this generosity, we are incredibly grateful. But what happened on Friday, and is still continuing through Cake Wrecks, is much bigger than fundraising alone. The giving page that Cake Wrecks set up allows the opportunity for donors to leave comments. And it has been these comments and dedications that have so deeply moved us here at Love146. Throughout the day and even this weekend we have been reading them to each other. Some comments would break our hearts, while others would bring tears of joy. Together, it is the sound of what we call the ‘Collective shout”. One voice added to another voice. Your voice added to my voice…added to the voices of children everywhere.

Comments like:

“I am at once sickened by the depravity of humanity and lifted by its nobility.”

“For my 18 year old daughter... so I never see her face on Love 146's page.”

“It's only a little amount - but I hope it goes a long way.”

“One box of tissues not enough...”

“With two daughters of my own, I could not sit by and do nothing.”

“For all the 146's out there right now.”

“I'm deeply saddened that this organization even has to exist, but I hope I can help in the fight.”

“A dollar for every year since I was able to take my daughter out of that hell”

“I’m just sorry I can't give more...but at least I can spread awareness.”

“For #146 and all her sisters.”

“In honor of my young daughter who will never know this pain. “

These are just a sampling of the comments and dedications people are making on the giving page at Cake Wrecks. Take a moment and go HERE to read the rest. You will hear the sounds of the collective shout.

Jen writes; “Together, we can use the power of Wreckage for good, and make a difference for those in need.”

So…to Jen and John at Cake Wrecks and all of you “Wreckies” out there…Thank you for giving. Thank you for inspiring us. Thank you for giving us another reason to celebrate.

-Rob

President

Love146

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