ROCKWELL — Nazareth Child & Family Connection was awarded a grant recently by Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) to help with and to counsel children at high risk of human trafficking or who have been a victim of human trafficking.

Part of the grant is to be used in conjunction with Project LIGHT-Rowan, a Rowan County-based initiative begun two years ago to bring awareness to human trafficking.

“Eighty percent of our kids at Nazareth are at risk for trafficking or abuse,” said Jennifer Ethridge, CEO of Nazareth. “This generous grant from Speedway Children’s Charities is going to help us help so many kids who may be in danger.

“We are so appreciative of Marcus Smith (CEO of Speedway Motor Sports and Chairman of Speedway Children’s Charities) not only for this grant to Nazareth, but everything he and Speedway Children’s Charities do to help children in North Carolina and across the country.”

Two Nazareth residents attended the event along with Ethridge, Director of Development Hugo Crigler, Director of Residential Services Donna Cagler and staff member Alicia Mack. They joined more than 450 children and charity representatives at the event held at Charlotte Motor Speedway for an evening of cookies, hot chocolate and a tour through the nearly five million Christmas lights illuminating Speedway Christmas.

SCC raises money throughout the year through various fundraising events at SMI tracks across the country. Nationally, SCC serves 11 communities across the United States. This year alone, SCC will distribute more than $4.2 million to charities. Since its inception in 1982, SCC has awarded over $69 million to nonprofit organizations nationwide.