Elizabeth Smart on Thursday will be the keynote speaker at “Casting Hope,” a benefit for Birmingham-based nonprofit On River Time.
Smart rose to international prominence after being kidnapped in 2002 at the age 14 and escaping nine months later. She is now a prominent child advocate and has been a commentator for ABC News.
At the event, she will share her powerful story of overcoming and message of hope.
On River Time is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides abused and neglected children with mentoring and relationship building experiences through the sport of fly fishing.
The organization partners with Big Oak Ranch in Alabama as well as three other children’s homes located in Mississippi and Texas. The mission of On River Time is to take children between the ages of 12 and 17, who have survived the worst circumstances, and provide them an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience at a fly-fishing camp on the Snake River in Idaho. For children who have suffered abuse and neglect, it is a chance for a dramatic pivot to create new, positive memories and work to overcome their past, according to a release.
“We are so pleased to have Elizabeth Smart as our keynote speaker for this special evening,” said Wendy Garner, executive director of On River Time.
“The kids we serve have come from painful pasts but have the ability to become overcomers just like her. Elizabeth offers an important reminder, no matter how dark the circumstances, there is always hope,” she added.
“Casting Hope,” which is presented by Liberty Mutual and Ironshore, will be held Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at The Florentine in Birmingham. The evening will include dinner and a silent and live auction. Sponsors of the evening will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-event V.I.P. meet and greet with Smart.
Tickets are $125 per person or $1200 for a table for 10. Tickets may be purchased online here.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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