2nd Annual Human Rights Walkathon supported by humanitarian direct mail marketing company

Due to the efforts of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Youth for Human Rights International, and The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, our younger generations are becoming aware of what our universal human rights are.  To help make that awareness a reality, a nationally renowned direct mail marketing company, PostcardMania, known for its humanitarian efforts, donated the design and printing of thousands of direct mail postcards to promote the Youth for Human Rights Walkathon that was recently held on Saturday, March 1st in Straub Park in St. Petersburg, Florida.  
 
Joy Gendusa, CEO of PostcardMania, created a pro bono division within her postcard marketing firm to help non-profit organizations who are dedicated to helping mankind and the world become a better place.  The Human Rights Walkathon, whose purpose was to educate all people in Basic Human Rights as set forth in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights is right in line with her own purpose. 
 
The family event, attended by approximately 400 people including 60 community leaders, speakers of various faiths and celebrities, was the strongest human rights march held in the area to date.  The speakers included Ms. Catherine Bell, the well known star of "Jag", who spoke in support of Youth for Human Rights and the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT) whose director, Anna Rodriguez is a tireless fighter for the children and women and men who are being enslaved by the millions all over the world and right here in the US.  Entertainment was provided by The Dundu Dole Urban African Ballet, Salsa Ole! and the Dixie Chaps, a New Orleans-style jazz band.
 
The postcards in English and Spanish which PostcardMania donated were distributed by the Human Rights Walkathon volunteers in St Petersburg, Clearwater, Orlando, and throughout the state of Florida, which helped in reaching college students from Eckerd College, USF, members of the Hispanic community and many others.  To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the walkathon had over 60 groups participating and sponsoring the event including the Red Cross, Community Tampa Bay, Jamba Juice and many others.  The United Nations logo could be seen prominently displayed. 
 
During the event a public participant spoke to a member of FCAHT and reported a possible instance of human trafficking right here in St. Petersburg, fulfilling the walkathon's mission to educate the public on human rights so that they can stand up not only for their own rights, but also for the rights of others.
 
"My sincerest thanks and admiration to the whole PostcardMania staff for helping to make human rights a reality," said Linda Drazkowski in praise of PostcardMania's probono division.  Linda is the Chairman and President for the Human Rights Walkathon.
 
This year the money raised at the walkathon will be used directly for a billboard campaign in the state of Florida with a human trafficking hotline.
 
 
About PostcardMania:
Hailed as one of the 500 fastest growing privately-held companies in the USA by Inc. Magazine, PostcardMania was founded by Joy Gendusa in 1998, her only assets a computer and a phone.  In 2007, their revenues were reported at nearly $19 million and their employee roster listed over 160 people.  PostcardMania was the first full-service postcard direct-mail marketing company to market to general businesses nation-wide and help them expand through the use of direct mail marketing techniques.  Their services include graphic design, printing, highly-targeted mailing list acquisition and mailing services with FREE marketing advice.  They print 4 million and mail 2 million direct mail postcards to over 28,000 clients in over 350 industries each week.  Visit their web site at www.postcardmania.com
 
About Youth for Human Rights International:
Youth for Human Rights International is a program of the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance, an independent non-profit corporation headquartered in Los Angeles.  It was formed in 2001 by a South African educator in coordination with the Church of Scientology Human Rights Department.  Its purpose is to educate people in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.  The organization holds events and produces instructional tools to raise human rights awareness including a series of 30 audiovisual public service announcements, one for each article of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  These PSAs released in late 2005, have been screened to more than 130 million people.  For more information, visit www.humanrightswalkathon.org.  To learn more about Youth for Human Rights International, visit www.youthforhumanrights.org.
 
About Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking:

The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT) is an entity within The Immigrant Rights Advocacy Center, Inc. (IRAC) a non-for-profit corporation, 501(c)(3) since May 17, 2004. The organization was created in 2004 by Anna Rodriguez, who has extensive experience in how to identify victims, provide advocacy, and understand how to pursue justice for victims based on her experience in law enforcement, assistance for prosecution, and active participation delivering the human trafficking case law.  FCAHT’s mission is to improve and provide outreach and services to victims of Human Trafficking throughout the State of Florida; by developing support programs, networking, coalition building, training, service delivery, and referrals to victims in need.  Visit www.stophumantrafficking.org