K.I.D.S. Foundation is helping Florida communities run toward, not away from, a solution to child sexploitation
2nd Annual Jessica Marie Lunsford Run - The Run for Innocence
Running for Jessica: Race is a memorial
1st Annual Jessica Lunsford Run Kicks Off From The St. Pete Times Forum On Saturday, April 1

K.I.D.S. FOUNDATION IS HELPING FLORIDA COMMUNITIES RUN TOWARD, NOT AWAY FROM, A SOLUTION TO CHILD SEXPLOITATION
April 5, 2007

(TAMPA, Fla.--) Earlier this month, a jury recommended the death sentence for the man who kidnapped, raped and killed little 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford more than two years ago.

On April 14, a Tampa mom will continue in her quest to safeguard her child and others by again organizing an event in little Jessica's honor, the 2nd Annual Jessica Marie Lunsford Run - The Run For Innocence.

"I've had my share of close calls with child abduction and child sex abuse, through people I've known and loved and I'm tired of it," said Kecia Richardson who founded K.I.D.S. (Keeping Innocence Defending Safety) Foundation two years ago, www.defendinginnocence.org.

"I've known children who were sexually abused. I learned that my teenage daughter was babysitting for a neighbor who turned out to be a registered sex offender," Richardson said. "So I can relate to the Jessica Lunsford case, to the need to keep things like that from ever happening again, and to the relatives left behind and broken when their loved ones are sexually abused."

Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford, will be on hand for the 2nd Annual Jessica Lunsford Run run in downtown Tampa. Lunsford quit his job as a truck drivers since his daughter's death and has been to at least 40 states and Washington, D.C. lobbying lawmakers to improve how governments monitor and punish sex offenders and is now considering running for a seat in the Florida Legislature.

Kecia Richardson, meanwhile, is working to call attention to Lunsford's quest for justice by organizing running events in states that pass Jessica's Law.

But for now, she's focused on the 2nd Annual Jessica Marie Lunsford Run as a memorial to the girl and others like her. "The main goal is to motive people to come together, get involved and make a difference in children's lives through this fund-raising event. In fact, our radio commercial says 'do not run from the problem, run to help solve it.'"

The April 14 run begins at 7 a.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum. The 8K run begins first, followed by a 5K run at 8 a.m. and the one-mile run/walk at 8:30 a.m. Food, entertainment and child safety exhibits will be available after the running and walking events.

The money raised will go to the Jessica Lunsford Foundation, educate the community on children's issues and support foundations that help rescue children from exploitation internationally.

"These running events get people's attention. Even if they don't know why it's happening or what it's about, people notice these things and ask, 'Gee, what's going on?'" Richardson said. "It's a great way to raise awareness about Jessica's case and help people understand the plight of all victims of childhood sexual abuse and abduction. We especially need to support agencies that protect children's innocence and safety."

According to the U.S. Justice Department, at least 2 in 10 girls and 1 in 10 boys will be victims of a sexual abuser, and no wonder. The Justice Department estimates there are four million child molesters in the U.S., or more than one per square mile. And molesters tend to be among the most dangerous of predators: each one will abuse an average of 30 to 60 children before they're arrested and hundreds in their lifetime, and they're four times more likely than other violent criminals to keep abusing children even after they're caught.

"It's beyond an epidemic, but it's stunning how few people realize how widespread and dangerous this problem is," Richardson said. "That's why raising people's consciousness through the 2nd Annual Jessica Lunsford Run and other projects is so important. And it's better that people learn about child sexual abuse that way than how I did."

Richardson was a stay-at-home mom who decided to form the K.I.D.S. Foundation (www.defendinginnocence.org) after reflecting on the tragedies and brushes with danger she has experienced personally, or though friends, neighbors and loved ones.

As a young girl, Richardson remembers two girls abducted and killed who lived close to her home. Later, a teenage basketball teammate was abducted on her way home from school. She lived, but was found sexually abused in another state.

As a young woman, Richardson' had a friend whose daughter narrowly escaped abduction and now she's concerned for her daughter after the babysitting episode with the sex offender.

The Lunsford case propelled Richardson to act, and she now spends much of her time volunteering and organizing events like the Jessica Lunsford run and calling attention to the work of her K.I.D.S. Foundation.

"This is all about alerting people to the dangers that are out there. If they can learn how dangerous this is -- and how to take protect their children -- from a fun event like the Jessica Lunsford run then that's great," Richardson said. "I'd rather have them learn the lesson that way than to learn it through pain or fear or, God forbid, the way Mark Lunsford had to learn."

CONTACT: Kecia Richardson is available for media interviews by contacting krichardson@defendinginnocence.org or calling 813-727-0786.

Pre-registration for the 2nd Annual Jessica Marie Lunsford Run -- the Run for Innocence is available online at the K.I.D.S. Foundation Web site at www.defendinginnocence.org. The pre-registration fee is $20 through April 12. Registration after that costs $25. Richardson's K.I.D.S. Foundation is presenting the race on behalf of the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation, which helps children in crisis.

Corporate sponsors of the race include Payroll Consultants, The City of Tampa, R.J.N. Enterprises, Without Walls International Church, Abode Builders, LLC, Florida Rock Industries, The St. Pete Times Forum, The Tampa Bay Lightning, The Tampa Bay Storm, WQYK, Spirit FM, WiLD 98.7, Cigar City Pictures, Figment Creative Group, Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center, Print 4 Tampa, Fast Signs on West Kennedy, Starbucks, Funny Bone and Woody's Auto Sales.

2nd ANNUAL JESSICA MARIE LUNSFORD RUN - THE RUN FOR INNOCENCE
March 16, 2007

What: The 2nd Annual Jessica Lunsford Run - The Run for Innocence will take place in downtown Tampa Saturday, April 14, 2007. The event kicks off at the St. Pete Times Forum with an 8K run at 7:00am, a 5K run at 8:00am and a 1-mile fun run/walk at 8:30am and continues through downtown Tampa onto Bayshore Boulevard before returning to the Forum. Post run activities include entertainment, food and beverages and child safety exhibits.

Registration: Pre-registration for the run/walk is available online through the K.I.D.S. Foundation website (www.defendinginnocence.org) and through a link at www.active.com. The pre-registration fee is $20 through April 12th. After that, the fee will be $25.

This event is being presented by the K.I.D.S. Foundation on behalf of the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation and other agencies that aim to protect children. The non-profit K.I.D.S. Foundation raises funds for other non-profit organizations and agencies that are committed to protecting children's innocence and safety and also bringing public awareness to children's issues. The Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation helps children in crisis.

Mark Lunsford, Jessica Lunsford's father, who has tirelessly worked for the protection of children since his daughter's abduction and tragic death last year, will be present at the event to bring public awareness to protecting children's safety and innocence. Hilary Session from Child Protection Education of America will also be present at the event.

Through corporate sponsors, individual donations and pledges, everyone is given the opportunity to be an advocate for children. Current sponsors consist of Payroll Consultants, The City of Tampa, R.J.N. Enterprises, Without Walls International Church, Abode Builders, LLC, Florida Rock Industries, The St. Pete Times Forum, The Tampa Bay Lightning, The Tampa Bay Storm, WQYK, Spirit FM, WiLD 98.7, Cigar City Pictures, Figment Creative Group, Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center, Print 4 Tampa, Fast Signs on West Kennedy, Starbucks, Funny Bone and Woody's Auto Sales.

The goal is to promote this event in several other cities to protect children's innocence and safety. Make a difference in the future safety and innocence of children by registering today!

RUNNING FOR JESSICA: RACE IS A MEMORIAL
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg, Fla.
Copyright Times Publishing Co. Apr 2, 2006
Author: DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN
Date: Apr 2, 2006

Kecia Richardson was a stay-at-home mom who organized car pools and play dates and ran her household.

But when 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford was abducted and killed last year, this South Tampa mom became a warrior.

Richardson, 43, created a foundation to help keep kids safe, educating children on safety and making the public aware of child predators.

On Saturday, Richardson directed her biggest endeavor yet: a run/ walk in memory of the girl from Citrus County whose smiling face beneath a fuzzy purple hat had been flashed across television screens across the nation.

"I'm fed up," Richardson said of child abductions. "I'm fed up enough to do something about it. I can't stand it anymore."

Almost 300 people turned out for the First Annual Jessica Lunsford Run, a 5-mile run/1-mile walk along Bayshore Boulevard that took place under a cloudless blue sky.

The route ended at the St. Pete Times Forum, where there was face painting, a clown, a giant inflatable slide and booths where children could get identification cards and fingerprints made.

Runners and walkers posed for pictures with Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford, who wore a black leather biker jacket featuring his daughter's face on the back.

"It always feels good to bring awareness to people," Lunsford said. "This is the good stuff. It beats lobbying."

After Jessica's murder, Lunsford quit his job as a truck driver and has spent the last year traveling the country, pushing for Jessica's law, which changes the way the state punishes and monitors sex offenders.

He has been to 12 states and lobbied in Washington, D.C., four times. He used the opportunity Saturday to stress the importance of getting identification cards - and maintaining a clear and current photograph of children.

The picture of Jessica in her purple hat had been taken a week before her murder. She and her dad had stopped at Wal-Mart for a digital camera before heading to the county fair.

He won the hat and a purple stuffed dolphin by throwing darts at a balloon. He snapped the photograph of Jessica in her hat as they rode on the skyride.

Days later, Jessica was abducted from her bedroom and later found buried in a neighbor's yard, clutching her stuffed dolphin. News of her disappearance and murder topped the news nationwide and angered many, including Richardson. She started the K.I.D.S. Foundation to fight to keep children safe and later contacted Lunsford about holding the charity run.

"A lot of people run for a lot of issues," Richardson said. "I felt compelled to run for children that are abused."

Richardson will organize runs in the states that pass Jessica's Law. Her next stop will be Charlotte, N.C., in the fall.

"We're going to keep going," she said. "We can't be numb to the situation. I would like to see more people more compelled to stand up for children."

1st ANNUAL JESSICA LUNSFORD RUN KICKS OFF FROM THE ST. PETE TIMES FORUM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 1
Plaza Entertainment includes live music, clowns and more!

The 1st Annual Jessica Lunsford Run will take place in downtown Tampa next Saturday, April 1, 2006. The event kicks off at the St. Pete Times Forum with a 5K run and a 1-mile fun run/walk and continues through downtown Tampa onto Bayshore Boulevard before returning to the Forum. Activities include entertainment, clowns, face painting, music, food and beverages. Win door prizes, get child identity cards, finger printing and attend child safety exhibits.

Registration: Registration for the run/walk is available online through the K.I.D.S. Foundation website (www.defendinginnocence.org) and through a link at www.active.com. The registration fee is $25.

This charitable event is being presented by the K.I.D.S. Foundation on behalf of the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation and the K.I.D.S. Foundation. The non-profit K.I.D.S. Foundation assists with raising funds for other non-profit organizations and agencies that are committed to protecting children from sexual predators. The Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation also helps protect children from sexual predators as well as helping rescue missing children.

Mark Lunsford, Jessica Lunsford's father, who has tirelessly worked for safety programs for children since his daughter's abduction and tragic death last year, will be present at the event to bring public awareness to protecting children's safety and innocence. Child Abuse Council, Voice for Children, GuardianLion (1st GPS Child Tracking Device Developer) and other Child Agencies will be present.

Through corporate sponsors, individual donations and pledges, everyone is given the opportunity to be an advocate for children. Event sponsors consist of Payroll Consultants Group, Without Walls International Church, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay Storm, Tampa Bay Lightning and City of Tampa, 1040 NewsTalk, 1470 WHBO/RadioSports, WQYK, Abode Builders, Dignity Memorial, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme. Mark Larsen, NewsTalk Radio 1040, will host the event.

The goal is to promote this event in several other cities to protect children's innocence and safety. Make a difference in the future safety and innocence of children by registering today!

For further information contact the K.I.D.S. Foundation at 813.727.0786.