Soroptimists report successful ‘Bras for a Cause’ campaign

The April “Bras for a Cause” campaign of Soroptimist International of Bend has collected a total of 956 new and gently used bras to help bring awareness to the fight against international human trafficking.

These garments will help create a pathway to a better life for a woman rescued from the sex slave trade in Africa and Latin America.

SI Bend’s outreach program “Bras for a Cause” is testament to the Soroptimist’s Mission Best for Women.

“Bras for a Cause” is women in Central Oregon helping other women half way around the world. The simple act of a donation will help a woman become an entrepreneur who sells these garments thus empowering her to create a better life for herself and family.

“Bras for a Cause” runs only in April, and this year placed 16 bra collection boxes at retail business around Bend. The generous support of local retails and the kindness of Bend’s citizens made this program a success.

Bras from Bend are a partnership with Free the Girls (freethegirls.org), a non-profit organization based in Centennial, Colorado. They are then shipped to the Midwest and then, onto Africa and El Salvador, FTG works with agencies in these areas who help rescued women… Bras may seem an ordinary item for women of Central Oregon. To women of sub-Sahara Africa, they are a luxury item, which improve lives socially and economically.