This is Timea Nagy.  You may have seen her story in the newspaper or heard it in our documentary. Timea has a heart for victims of human trafficking in Canada because she knows first hand what it is like to be one, and this has led her to train law enforcement officers, coordinate with Parliament, and provide help to victims who have no one to turn to.  It’s tough work. And this year Timea is making a Christmas Wish, which I’d like to pass onto you:

Dear Friends,

Seasons greetings!  I hope this finds you well and excited for the upcoming holidays. As we come to the end of another successful year, I want to thank those who have contributed to our success and ask if you will help us once again.

Currently, the Walk With Me organization has 19 victims of human trafficking who will not be celebrating the holidays this year with their family and friends. For these victims, there will be no Christmas tree and no presents. I can recall through personal experience how difficult the holidays were for me. It was a solemn reminder that I would be celebrating the holidays alone and without my family.

Over the years I was able to establish my own holiday traditions such as grabbing a coffee from Tim Hortons and taking a walk around the city of Toronto admiring the pretty Christmas lights and decorations. I am hoping to help these victims establish new traditions of their own for these upcoming holidays and to provide them with presents so they know they are not forgotten.

However, I require your help. We have both male and female victims between the ages of 20 to 60 years old. Walk With Me would like to provide them with any of the following gifts listed below to help them get through this holiday season.

• Phone Vi International Phone Cards: These cards do not charge any connection fee and will help our victims to touch base with loved ones at home during the holidays.
• Tim Hortons, Wal Mart, Shoppers Drug Mart Gift Cards: To help them obtain basic necessities and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning.
• MasterCard/ Visa Gift Cards: These can be purchased at any gas station or major superstore. This item is strongly encouraged as the victims would be able to purchase what ever it is that they require this holiday season.

If you are unable to purchase one of these gift cards before December 18, 2010 a donation of any amount will also be greatly appreciated. We do need these funds however, by December 18th in order to carry out our Christmas promise.

We hope you will consider supporting Walk With Me. To make a donation, make a cheque out to Courage to Cope, memo: Walk With Me and send it to:

126 Hughson Street North

Hamilton, Ontario L8R 1G6

Attention: Timea Nagy

Thank you in advance for your consideration of our request. I wish peace, joy and love to you and your families during this coming Christmas season. Happy Holidays!

Timea Nagy, Program Director/Victim Care & The Walk With Me Team

Click here for more information on Timea’s organization and her new book as well!

Michelle Brock