TOLEDO, Ohio — The Justice for Sierah Foundation teamed up with the University of Toledo's Women's basketball team on Saturday to help spread awareness of self-defense, kidnapping prevention and honoring Sierah Joghin who was tragically killed in 2016.
"This is in memory of Sierah. Her life was taken way too soon by a violent offender," said Tara Ice, founder and President of Justice for Sierah. "Our mission is to try to make sure this doesn't happen again."
The Toledo Women's basketball game against Buffalo at Savage Hall on Saturday was center stage in sharing that important message.
"Just knowing her story and what their family went through, helps me when I'm out and about," said Nicole Candle, Board Director of Justice for Sierah. "To be more cognizant of my surroundings and who's there and the people that you know and interact with."
The efforts on spreading the message of self-defense and self-awareness to save kids from attackers is done in several ways. On Saturday, the team's uniforms played a special role in that effort.
"They're a special jersey that are purple and have wings on them. Purple was Sierah's favorite color. So it's a wonderful way for the Rocket team to be able to recognize her," said Candle.
Since Sierah was a UT student, this helps her legacy run deep. Because the team isn't just wearing these jerseys. They're auctioning them off.
"All the proceeds from the jersey sale go to our mission and providing these tools for the community. As well as five dollars from every ticket sale," said Ice.
A contribution many appreciated making, because it allows the foundation to continue spreading Sierah's legacy.
"We are so grateful to coach and the University of Toledo women's basketball players for allowing us this opportunity to have this partnership," said Candle. "They are an incredible group of women."
In addition, children were able to get KidPrint IDs for free. The IDs have all the vital information law enforcement would need if they were to ever go missing.
"It's really important to us that Justice for Sierah that we are educating youth, and we are providing them the resources and the tools that they need to protect themselves if they are ever in a compromised situation," said Candle.
On February 10, Justice for Sierah will be holding its annual Sierah's Birthday Soiree to celebrate everything the organization has accomplished in the last year. Click here for more information.
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