The Iraqi Children Foundation (ICF) has announced that it will host its 6th Annual "In Their Shoes" 5k run/walk on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, Virginia. The 5K is a benefit for Iraq's most vulnerable children - orphans, street children, and kids displaced by violence.
Years of war and humanitarian crisis have left many kids desperately poor and working or begging on the streets. They are at-risk of abuse, neglect, and recruitment by criminals, human traffickers, and extremists. ICF is committed to intervening in the lives of these children by providing legal protection, access to education and tutoring services, trauma support, healthcare, and basic food and nutrition. All sponsorship funds and donations from the 5K will go towards delivering love and hope through these services.
“I am pleased and honored to have the opportunity to give back to the children of Iraq as the new Chairman of the Iraqi Children Foundation. As a young man spending summers in Iraq, I interacted with many underprivileged children who lived in dire conditions and those children became some of my best friends. I cherish those relationships to this day. As an American and businessman, this cause is dear to my heart and I call on all our friends in the Iraqi-American community, business community, veterans, and Gold Star families to join us May 5 to run/walk ‘in their shoes’ for these vulnerable children.”
The 5K Honorary Co-Chairs include His Excellency Fareed Yasseen, Ambassador of Iraq to the United States; Ambassador Ryan Crocker (Ret.), Former US Ambassador to Iraq and Recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom; Lt. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, Commander, US Army North (Fifth Army) who served four tours in Iraq; Cynthia and Elijah Ozbat, Gold Star mother and 17-year old brother of Cpt. Jesse Ozbat who served in Iraq and was killed in Afghanistan; and Zainab Salbi, an award winning humanitarian, media host, and author.
ICF is also honored to have our Young Ambassadors - who are true testaments to the strength of Iraqi children - run with us for the second year in a row. Teeba was severely burned in a car bombing in Baghdad as a little girl. Ala'a was abandoned in Iraq as a little boy with cerebral palsy. And Humoody was shot in the face by terrorists and blinded. All three now serve as Youth Advisors to ICF.
ICF salutes our 5K Sponsors - Khudairi Group, BH Defense, Robinett Investment Company, The Children's Village, and Magnolia's on King - for generously funding ICF’s services to Iraq’s most vulnerable children. ICF is grateful for the teamwork of a great group of 5K partners: Team Red, White and Blue, Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC), The Karadah Project, Vets for American Ideals, and Iraqi-American Young Professionals.
ICF invites everyone to gather friends and family to walk a day “in the shoes” of some of Iraq’s most vulnerable kids. An after-party follows the 5K with music, Iraqi food, and family friendly activities. Join as an individual or organize a 5K a team. Last year the US State Department won an award for the largest 5K team – the largest in the five year history of the 5K - with more than 50 people.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact: cindy@iraqichildren.org or 703.963.3832. Those unable to attend can support Iraq's vulnerable children by donating to the cause. For media inquires, please contact: kristin.roach1@gmail.com.
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