PELHAM, Alabama -- When executive director Tajuan McCarty of The WellHouse talks about this Saturday's Ride 4 Freedom event in Pelham, the fundraiser's title couldn't fit any better with the Birmingham organization's goal.
"We are the only shelter in Alabama for adult women victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation," McCarty said about the fundraiser for The WellHouse, which provides help all over the state and the United States.
With about 250 beds in shelters across the country solely for women victims of human trafficking, The WellHouse provides six beds, which are the only ones in Alabama for that purpose.
"We stay full. I've got three on hold right now," McCarty said. "Since January of 2011 when we opened we have rescued 60 ladies," including 10 from out of state, one foreign national and the remainder from Alabama.
The women receiving help from the organization have ranged in age from 17 to 54. "I'm a survivor myself," McCarty said.
Visitors to Pelham's Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson dealer for the Saturday event that includes a police-escorted motorcycle ride through Pelham and musical performances by Todd Simpson and Mojo Child will raise money for The WellHouse.
"There is no government funding for us. We solely operate on donations, corporate sponsorships, personal contributions," McCarty said.
She hopes to see the event turn into an annual fundraiser for the organization. With the response so far, "It's absolutely amazing. We're hoping for a big turnout and we're hoping to start making plans for the one next year. And what better way than to express that than to Ride 4 Freedom?" she said.
The day's entertainment kicks off with registration for the motorcycle ride at 9 a.m. with a cost of $35 per bike. Kickstands go up at 10:45 a.m. and riders return an hour later to Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson.
Simpson begins performing at noon and 2 p.m. In between, there will be a live auction including a football autographed by Nick Saban and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
"This one is not rubber stamped. It's a hand-signed football," McCarty said.
Throughout the day there will be silent auctions available. Special guests include Radio-Active, Tannehill Leather sewing patches, Mrs. Alabama International appearing at 11 a.m. for photos and autographs and Christian radio host Lisa Roxanne Holifield from WDJC FM, who will serve as the event's emcee arriving at 8:30 a.m. for photos and autographs.
"This is a family event," McCarty said. "You don't have to be a rider to come out."
The WellHouse is a non-profit, faith-based and Christ-centered organization devoted to the rescue and recovery of women who are being sexually exploited. Visit the organization online at www.the-wellhouse.org and on Facebook.