AGC in the Community is an initiative of AGC Charities Inc., designed to showcase the community service projects of AGC of America’s chapters and members. The awards recognize chapter and member service projects that epitomize the essence of charitable giving, through actual hands-on service and donations to charitable organizations.
The Associated General Contractor (AGC) in the Community Awards are given each year at AGC of America’s Annual Convention. Winners of the 2018 awards were announced at the 99th Annual Convention in New Orleans.
On February 28, 2018, Davis Constructors & Engineers, Inc. of Anchorage, AK was selected as the national winner for the Alaska Barefoot Mile project.
Davis partnered with Joy International and Priceless to present the first Anchorage Barefoot Mile (BFM) fundraiser. The BFM took place on May 20th, 2017 from 1-4pm in Downtown Anchorage at Town Square Park.
The Barefoot Mile is a 1 mile barefoot walk where participants stand behind the cause of human trafficking and walk in solidarity with children in poverty, who are the most vulnerable to trafficking. The Barefoot Mile can remind us how effective our community can be when we join for a common goal, which is the safety of innocent individuals.
Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world today, an annual $150 billion dollar industry. It is now the second largest international criminal industry. Two million children are exploited every year in the global commercial sex trade. Between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked in the U.S. each year. These crimes are not just being committed internationally, it is happening locally. In a 2017 survey of homeless youth in 10 cities, Anchorage had the highest reported prevalence of Human Trafficking.
The success of the Barefoot Mile ensures that awareness of human trafficking is brought to light and the funds raised will assist in the rescue, restoration, reintegration and prevention of human trafficking in Alaska, the U.S. and Internationally.
Dr. Jeff Brodsky, the founder of Joy International and The Barefoot Mile, assisted in preplanning and walked in solidarity with the Anchorage participants. Dr. Jeff has been barefoot since 7/19/2010- over 2,650 days and counting.
On our first edition of the BFM, Davis drew over 358 walkers and 68 volunteers and raised over $203,000 from 266 unique donors to fight Human Trafficking.