Lauren Book is preparing to walk 1,500 miles across the state of Florida — from Key West to Tallahassee — to pass out friendship bracelets and bring light to a dark subject.
“We’re walking 20-plus miles a day,” she says.
Book founded Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit with a mission to prevent child sexual abuse and help survivors heal.
“I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse,” she says, “from the time that I was 10 years old until I was 16. I wanted to turn what was a very painful, difficult, horrific experience into something transformative to help others.”
The former Florida state senator started “Walk in My Shoes” more than a decade ago. Each year, she launches the event in Key West, the southernmost part of the U.S.
Then, for the month of April, Book passes through Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Naples, Tampa, Orlando and Pensacola. The walk ends on the Capitol steps in Tallahassee on April 30.
Last year, more than 5,000 participants laced up. This year, the goal is 7,500.
“Every year we try to do something different,” she says.
That’s where Taylor Swift’s record-breaking concert comes in. Book, a mom of two, attended two nights of the Eras Tour in Miami. Book was inspired by the singer’s community trading friendship bracelets in the stadium and wanted to incorporate the beaded jewelry into her own journey.
Long live the Eras Tour with our enchanting book
“Survivors are making bracelets with their name and age,” she says. “We are sending those to the directors of child abuse centers so the center can distribute bracelets to other children or adults. It allows those kids to know they are not alone and it’s been incredibly moving to watch.”
Not all the bracelets reflect survivor stories. Some have Swift’s lyrics, like “for the hope of it all” and “speak now.”
“You never know what a small act of kindness can do to help someone,” Book says. “Being able to pass a survivor on the street and hand them something special is a remarkable thing.”
Book will visit schools and centers across the state. Her itinerary is full of community visits that she and her team will walk to.
On April 8, they will stop at the PACE Center for Girls in Fort Lauderdale to make extra-large bracelets for the Florida Panthers’ mascots. Deputies from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office will collect bracelets to give out during difficult calls involving children.
On April 14, Lauren’s Kids will do a service project at Peace River Victims Services in Lakeland, painting and brightening the exam room and employee breakroom.
On April 21, the Bikers Against Child Abuse will join the march in Ocala. The organization is made up of volunteers who stand watch at a child’s house overnight or join them in court to help them feel safe.
“I’s not easy to walk 1,500 miles, but I keep doing it for the survivors,” Book says. In the U.S., there are 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse.
Interested walkers can register for the event at laurenskidswalk.org.
And for Swifties skilled at making the handmade jewelry, Book is asking them to send inspirational friendship bracelets to her office: 4000 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 677-S, Hollywood, FL 33021.
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