Q: Who is World Concern?

World Concern is about extremes. We go to the end of the road to serve people in extreme need because we have an extreme calling—to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a broken world. We follow Him to the thirsty. The hungry. Exploited. Traumatized. Forgotten. We Listen. Walk alongside. Equip and train.

We see transformation in communities as families move beyond survival. The thirsty drink clean water, the hungry have food, children learn, the enslaved are free, the hopeless find peace with God.

Our work is never a quick fix; transformation takes time. When a community is thriving on its own and can envision its future transformed, we know our work is finished. Go to https://www.worldconcern.org/ to learn more!

 

Q: Where is this race located?

Wherever you are! The Global Free Them 5K takes place in person around the world, and it can be done as a "virtual race" where participants get their race kit in the mail. On July 27, 2025, you can join thousands around the globe from your team’s mapped site, or from your own front door, in your neighborhood or on a treadmill—get creative!

 

Q: How do I invite people to do the Free Them 5K?

This is a great opportunity to invite your family and friends from across the world to join you on the same day, to protect vulnerable children from trafficking. You can tag them on social media, or send them an email with the link to your page to invite them to walk/run with you or donate toward your fundraising page. And celebrate the impact you made by sharing a picture with the hashtags #FreeThem5k and #WorldConcern.

 

Q: Where will my money go?

Every $25 you raise or donate will protect a child in the world's poorest places from the threat of trafficking, child marriage, forced labor, exploitation, and abuse. You'll free them into the abundant life and future every child deserves – healthy, educated, safe, and free!

Your registration fee or donation will protect children in some of the poorest communities in the world. Our primary focus for child protection is in Asia, where trafficking is targeted toward children in remote villages, youth who have little hope of finding local work, and families who are desperately poor.

Youth are tempted with offers of a job “just over the border” that will pay well and allow them to send money home to support their families. These offers most often come from someone they already know, so they are more likely to trust the person. They leave the safety of their community with the best of intentions, and sadly, they find themselves trapped in a work situation that they cannot escape and that pays little to no money.

The money you give goes toward training in villages, so families and their children know the tactics of traffickers and learn to say “No.” It helps set up children’s clubs that teach kids their rights and keep them safely engaged in meaningful activities after school while their parents are working. It provides “hotlines” where parents can call for help when their child is missing. And it helps us support organizations that work at open borders between countries where traffickers pass undetected with innocent youth.

 

Q: What countries are probable recipients?

The nations where World Concern primarily provides child protection include Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, East Africa, and Nepal. The villages where we work are located in corridors where there are a lot of traffickers moving through, looking for the vulnerable, and taking them to Thailand, India, and China primarily.

 

Q: Is this donation tax-deductible?

World Concern is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.

 

Q: When is the last day to register?

You can register all the way up to (and on) race day! However, we will be shipping shirts and bibs out two weeks before the race. Please see the registration page for current information on if your t shirt size is still available, after that deadline.

 

Q: What if I can not walk or run on July 27th?

You are welcome to participate still and walk or run the week before the Free Them 5k, or at a time that works for you.

 

Q: What if my shirt doesn’t fit?

Please email us at info@worldconcern.org and let us know if you need to exchange shirt sizes.

 

Q: Is it a timed race?

Keeping your time is up to you! We won’t collect times, but you can share photos, reels, and videos from your race on social media using the hashtags #FreeThem5K and #WorldConcern.

 

Q: What if I don’t have a smartphone to track my run?

You can use a website like Map My Run (link: https://www.mapmyrun.com/) to plan your route ahead of time. If you have an iPhone, the Apple Health app can help you keep track of your 5K as well.

 

Q; How do I submit offline donations?

Begin by clicking on “Donations” in the black bar at the top of your screen (on desktop) or bottom (on mobile) once you’ve logged in to your account, then choosing “Add Offline Donation.” From here, there are two steps:

1. Submit the online form. It will take up to 7 business days to reflect on your webpage.

2. Download the offline donation form and mail it with the checks; more directions are on the form. This will go to our finance department, which will make sure the donations go toward our clean water projects

 

Q: Can kids participate?

Of course! This is a super-fun fundraiser for the whole family! Children of all ages can register as participants to run or walk the 5K distance. Plus, kids 18 years and younger get to register for $25!

 

Q: Can I take video or pictures?

Please do! And make sure you share them on all of your social media outlets and use the hashtags #FreeThem5K and #WorldConcern.

 

Q: What is a team fundraising page?

A Team fundraising page is where you can invite all of your friends and family to join you in your efforts to fight child trafficking and communicate with them on one platform. Anyone who donates funds to your individual fundraising page will also appear here.

 

Q: What is an individual fundraising page?

An individual fundraising page is where you can personalize everything from why you are doing the 5K to choosing your fundraising goal.