Atlanta Nonprofit Aims for Kickball World Record to Combat Human Trafficking
Men Opposing Sex Trafficking is attempting to break the 51-hour kickball world record to raise awareness and funds for anti-trafficking efforts, having already raised over $800,000 through previous record-breaking events.
Atlanta-based nonprofit Men Opposing Sex Trafficking (MOST) is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon kickball game, marking their third record-breaking effort to raise awareness about human trafficking. The organization previously set records for the longest marathon softball game and longest continuous basketball game, both lasting 121 consecutive hours.
For the first time, 13 women will join 27 men to form the 40 competitors volunteering for the event at Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia. Twenty-five of the male participants competed in at least one of the group's previous world record achievements. The current kickball record of 51 hours was set in 2011 by students at Padua Franciscan High School in Ohio.
Bruce Deel, CEO and founder of MOST, noted that while the kickball record is less than half the length of their previous attempts, weather conditions will present new challenges. The game will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 29 and conclude at noon on Sunday, August 31, with players required to remain on the field throughout the attempt, only stepping out for five-minute bathroom breaks every two hours.
The organization has seen significant results from their record-breaking efforts. According to Deel, We have seen a spike in interest and raised over $800,000 to drive our core mission. The funds support MOST's expanded operations, which now include two analysts tasked with locating sex trafficking activity and an interdiction team of 11 men with military and law enforcement backgrounds who assist local authorities with sting operations.
To comply with Guinness World Records requirements, the game will feature 20 players on each squad, with ten defenders on the field at all times. Teams will play in short shifts during the day and alternate longer shifts overnight to allow for sleeping. Admission to the event is free, and the public can attend throughout the three-day event or watch the live stream available on WeAreMost.org.
MOST's approach demonstrates how unconventional methods can effectively draw attention to critical social issues. By combining physical endurance challenges with their anti-trafficking mission, the organization has created a sustainable model for raising both funds and awareness about sex trafficking prevention and survivor support.