Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Fresno Radio: KMJ Fighting Human Trafficking


Monday, January 11, 2021, was Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the U.S. and KMJ Radio, Fresno listeners stepped up to help fight the scourge affecting the San Joaquin Valley. 

Partnering (while socially distanced) with the local non-profit Breaking The Chains, KMJ listeners donated nearly $30,000 on Monday with much more money continuing to pour in. These funds go directly to help victims of human trafficking in our area.

Several local anonymous victims and survivors were interviewed on KMJ, as were prominent area officials including: Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, Parlier PD Chief Jose Garza, Fresno PD Deputy Chief Mark Salazar and California Assemblymember Jim Patterson.

Fowler, CA-based Van-G Logistics matched donations to the tune of $20,000! CEO Roger Van Gronigen told KMJ, “When I started seeing the number of victims I couldn’t believe it…and felt we needed to step up and help those affected by this tragic situation in our own backyard.”

Debra Rush, the founder and CEO of Breaking The Chains, said, “The partnership we have with KMJ has been a critical resource for Breaking The Chains. In 2020, our all-day radio drive was the spark that lit the fire in Parlier and ultimately resulted in the new Breaking the Chains campus that opened on December 1, 2020. Coming into the office this morning, I was inundated with a strong positive public response including a personal email from Congressman David Valadao. Bringing awareness to human trafficking is a community collaborative that is only possible when platforms like KMJ use their influence to make a difference. KMJ has not just made a difference, they have made an impact that will provide critical care services to countless lives for years to come, and we are forever grateful.”

KMJ General Manager Patty Hixson applauded the ongoing efforts, noting, “Our loyal listeners always amaze me how they generously step up for great causes, especially one like human trafficking which has brought so much heartbreak and violence into our community. Well done! We will not stop fighting”.

KMJ looks forward to continuing its relationship with Breaking The Chains to battle human trafficking. For more information on this fine organization, visit: www.btcfresno.org.

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