Sex Slavery - Be an abolitionist!

As we are focusing our attention this week to the work of Love146, let's take a look at the seriousness of the problem of sex slavery.

It is estimated that 2 children are sold into slavery every minute.

That's 2880 every day!

As of 2006 the number of children trafficked annually was estimated at 1.2 Million

The UN and other experts estimate the total market value of illicit human trafficking at roughly $32 Billion!

That makes trafficking on persons the second most lucrative crime in the world!

It is estimated that 27 million people are currently enslaved around the world.

All of this information and more can be found on at www.love146.org

This is a big problem! 100% of the money that we collect with the Luxury Fund is given away, 25% of it goes to Love146 who is working hard to end sex slave trade and restore the lives of freed slaves.

BE AN ABOLITIONIST!

Think of what you might give up this week, so that you can put a few bucks in the Luxury Fund to help this cause.

Thanks!

Love 146

For the month of December, I'll be spending a week "Showcasing" each organization that we support, so you can have a better idea of what they do and why we have chosen them to give money to.

This week . . . Love146

The trafficking and rape of children for profit is one of the darkest stories on the planet. This physical, mental and emotional trauma leaves children broken and scarred for life. Interventions for these children
are critical to their survival. This is why Love146 exists.

Love146 works toward the abolition of child sex trafficking and exploitation through prevention and aftercare. Love146 trains aftercare workers, multiplies safehomes, aids socioeconomic development programs in high risk communities and provides a voice for these victims of modern-day slavery.

This information and more can be found on their website www.love146.org.


Here's what the people at Love146 have to say about the Luxury Fund:

"Love146 is grateful for the support of The Luxury Fund in helping to abolish child sex slavery and exploitation. All funds received via the Luxury Fund go towards our Aftercare program which includes building a new "Round Safehome" and running existing safehomes. See our website love146.org for more details."

Please decide what you can give up this week so that you can contribute to the Luxury Fund. We can make a difference by making one small sacrifice at a time!

SEC Championship Game

This weekend Atlanta will host the 17th annual SEC Championship game in the Georgia Dome. I know it's a big day for a lot of people. #1 ranked Alabama fans and #2 ranked Florida fans can hardly stand the anticipation of the game this weekend. In light of this weekends focus on the big game, I thought I'd throw out some numbers for you (you know I like like throwing numbers out there).

Let's talk money.

Nick Saben coaches Alabama for an annual salary of $4 Million.

Urban Meyer coaches Florida for an annual salary of $3.25 Million.

Ticket prices (as of today) online are between $400 and $800 each and The Georgia Dome seats 71250 people.

A cup of beer at the Georgia Dome is $7.50

A bottle of water at the Georgia Dome is $2.50

I have no idea how to calculate fuel, lodging, food and miscellaneous spending for the 71,250 who will be in attendance, but I'm guessing it's ridiculous!

Now for even more sobering numbers

During the 3 hour duration of the game:

360 Children will be trafficked for sexual exploitation.

465 Children will die from lack of clean water.

2165 Children will die from lack of food.


I don't want to ruin your game weekend, but I would like you to consider the excess money that goes into recreation will so many around the world are suffering and dying every day.

Every little bit helps!! Can you give $1, $5, $10?

I promise there will be some very grateful people!

Luxury Fund is not a 501c3 organization. Your only reward is knowing that you have helped make someones life better! We give 100% of the money we raise to four amazing organizations who are able to do a lot with a little. Check the links to find out more about Blood Water Mission, Compassion International, International Justice Mission and Love 146.

Update Video

We are not a 501c3 organization. Donations are not tax-deductible, your only reward is knowing that you've helped someone who was unable to help themselves.

Black Friday Numbers Are In....

Not even a recession will hold back Americans when it comes to spending money. What if we were as eager to give as we are to spend? We could change the world. No, really, we could! Friday, Americans were out in droves fighting fatigue, traffic and fellow shoppers to get the best deals on new stuff for Christmas. The preliminary numbers for spending on Friday are estimated at $10.6 Billion. That's an increase of 3% over last year. $10.6 Billion is over half of what's needed annually to end world hunger.

The Luxury Fund gives 100% of the money that we collect to 4 organizations who are working hard to change the lives of people all over the world by freeing slaves, providing clean drinking water for people who don't have it, mosquito nets for kids who are likely to contract malaria from mosquito bites and loving homes and counseling for girls who have been set free from sex slavery.

Isn't that worth more than an X Box, iPhone, or the latest Hannah Montana paraphernalia? I think so.

If you want to know more about each organization, check out their links on the side of the page.

Help out if you can. Even $1 helps.

If you benefit from or enjoy this blog, please subscribe and tell your friends about the Luxury Fund.

Black Friday - Lives up to its name

I almost cried as I read the headlines this morning.

"Black Friday Turns Deadly" as a Wal Mart employee was trampled to death by a stampede of shoppers.

"Fatal Shooting Following Toy Store Brawl" , two men fatally shot.

"Wal Mart Shoppers Scuffle Over Last X Box 360" There was actually a video of people piled on top of each other fighting over a game!

That's just the violent side of Black Friday. The amount of money spent yesterday will probably bring tears to my eyes too when those numbers are released.

Thursday, I had Thanksgiving lunch with about 100 people with no homes or a family to share a meal with, who were thankful to share a hot meal with smiling faces.

For so many others around the world it was just another day of hunger, sickness and death.

Meanwhile, many Americans are waking up before the sun to fight traffic, check out lines and sometimes each other to get the best deals on cool new stuff. This year, it cost 3 American lives.

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with bargain shopping. If you went shopping yesterday, I'm not condemning you for doing so (unless you beat someone up for a sale item), but I think we can all agree that here in America, we have some mixed up priorities and I hope that we as individuals can at least can recognize how blessed we are and be willing to share with others out of our abundance or even sacrifice to do so.

Please consider how you can give more this year than you did last year. Or better yet, just give more today than you did yesterday. Even if it's just a buck, it's a great start.

Thanks!

Staggering Statistic of the Week 11-24-08

They call the Friday after Thanksgiving "Black Friday". It's when millions of Americans go out and spend money that they don't have (most of the time) on things that they don't need (also most of the time).

Last year on Black Friday, Americans spent $531 MILLION just on online shopping. Yes, that's one day of internet shopping! Wow!

Last year between November 1 - 23, Americans spent $9.3 BILLION on online shopping!!! Can you believe it?

This year, would you consider making a donation to the Luxury Fund on Black Friday? Let's have a day of our own Staggering Statistics proving that we do care for people who have nothing and are dying as a result.

Thanks for your help!