Thank you to everyone who came out Sunday for an enjoyable and enlightening evening with us at the Color Their World banquet. This is Allies’ largest annual fundraiser, and this year's banquet drew over 400 attendees, mirroring the previous year’s turnout and encouraging our partners’ commitments in this critical mission in Eastern Europe.

The dinner featured speaker Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn, who shared inside information about the existence of human trafficking in the Fort Worth area, what he and his team are doing to eradicate it, and why he believes that what Allies is doing is crucial to preserving the lives of children who eventually age out of the orphanages in Eastern Europe, where there are very few advocates serving to fight Human Trafficking.

To this day, teenagers as young as 16 are being released from orphanages with nothing but the clothes on their back and a small bag of personal items. No job prospects, no education, no support system. And September is a big month for releases, which means that right now, the battle with Human Trafficking is taking place right outside those orphanage doors. The sheriff closed his remarks with a strong call-to-action: “posse up” with him and Allies in this important work, which, as of this time, is currently expanding to 11 new territories.

Like last year, the Legacy Quartet graced the banquet with powerful praises and heavenly hymns throughout the program. The live auction was a big hit as usual, with items such as an all-inclusive fresh-water fishing trip and a Lake Tahoe Ski getaway, raising a record amount of funds for the orphans.

Near the conclusion of the banquet, Executive Director Chris Burgin presented Pastor Randy Weeaks of Walnut Ridge Baptist Church with the Allies Empowerment Award for all of his support and dedication to this ministry. Pastor Weeaks has strongly supported and promoted the mission of Allies since its inception in 2011.

Pastor Weeaks shared with the audience that he believes our work in this mission – helping orphans in their distress – is so important because it is what close to the heart of God. It is what God wants us to support. It is what he considers “pure and faultless" religion (James 1:27).

If you were unable to attend, we hope you can join us next year to help this amazing cause that is near to the heart of God. There are many ways you can help these children. Learn more by visiting our help page, or visit our donate page to become a financial partner.