By Eric Heinz
In its third year, i-5 Freedom Network hosted the annual “Be a Big Cheese” fundraiser at The Cellar on Monday, Feb. 11, in San Clemente.
The i-5 nonprofit works to educate local businesses to look for signs of human traffickers and how to adequately report them. The organization started working with hotel managers in the area, where trafficking has been reported.
Director Brenda Wells said the organization has partnered with Guardian Group, a national anti-human trafficking organization. Robert Ramsey of Guardian Group spoke during the event.
Two life experience consultants or experts, Ebony Jones of Living Beyond and Jaimee Johnson of Sister of the Street, spoke about some of their experiences in human trafficking and how they found opportunities outside their past lives. They spoke about the importance of finding people who have been trafficked gainful employment and a way to escape their traffickers.
The event raised $15,000 with about 90 people in attendance for the i-5 Freedom Network to continue its goals of educating businesses and creating partnerships. For more information, visit i5freedomnetwork.org.
Photo Gallery
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Ebony Jones, a life experience expert, speaks to the crowd at the third "Be a Big Cheese" fundraiser on Monday, Feb. 11. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Ken Fedrick emcees at "Be a Big Cheese," hosted by the i-5 Freedom Network, on Monday, Feb. 11, at The Cellar in San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Wine and cheese was plentiful at the "Be a Big Cheese" fundraiser on Feb. 11 to benefit the i-5 Freedom Network. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Wine and cheese was plentiful at the "Be a Big Cheese" fundraiser on Feb. 11 to benefit the i-5 Freedom Network. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Ebony Jones prepares to speak to the audience on Feb. 11 at the Cellar in San Clemente for the "Be a Big Cheese" fundraiser to benefit the i-5 Freedom Network. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Brenda Wells talks about the latest progress i-5 Freedom Network has made in the last year. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Jaimee Johnson, a living experience expert, speaks to the i-5 Freedom Network fundraiser attendees on Feb. 11 at the Cellar in San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Brenda Wells talks about the latest progress i-5 Freedom Network has made in the last year. Photo: Eric Heinz
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The live and silent auction helped i-5 Freedom Network raise $15,000m on Feb. 11 at the "Be a Big Cheese" fundraiser, in its efforts to combat human trafficking. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Wine and cheese was plentiful at the "Be a Big Cheese" fundraiser on Feb. 11 to benefit the i-5 Freedom Network. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Wine and cheese was plentiful at the "Be a Big Cheese" fundraiser on Feb. 11 to benefit the i-5 Freedom Network. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Ebony Jones, left, helps i-5 Freedom Network executive director Brenda Wells up to the stand on Monday, Feb. 11, at the Cellar in San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Wine and cheese was plentiful at the "Be a Big Cheese" fundraiser on Feb. 11 to benefit the i-5 Freedom Network. Photo: Eric Heinz
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Ken Fedrick emcees at "Be a Big Cheese," hosted by the i-5 Freedom Network, on Monday, Feb. 11, at The Cellar in San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz
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