These totes and bags from Thirty-One Gifts, offered in many patterns, are available to purchase through March 22 with proceeds going to Grow Free Tennessee, a counter-human trafficking organization serving the upper East Tennessee region.

KNOXVILLE — A fundraiser is being conducted throughout March to benefit Grow Free Tennessee, powered by the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking (CCAHT). The organization is a nonprofit working to counter human trafficking in Knoxville and upper East Tennessee. Alexandra Bruse, an independent sales consultant with Thirty-One Gifts, is holding the fundraiser. Anyone may purchase certain Thirty-One products with proceeds going to Grow Free Tennessee.

The organization will receive from $8.75 to $20 for each Thirty-One product purchased during the fundraiser, conducted through March 22. The donated amount varies depending on the price of the product. There are three styles of tote bags, a backpack and an overnight bag offered in 14 various patterns in the fundraiser, all of which may be personalized with embroidery. Prices range from $41 to $94 each, including shipping and sales tax. Products will be shipped to Grow Free Tennessee for pickup from April 10 to April 14.

The Tote-ally Awesome March FUNdraiser, is inspired by Bruse’s past experience volunteering with CCAHT.

CCAHT was established in Knoxville in 2010 to address the need for counter-trafficking directives in East Tennessee. In 2016, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) identified four nonprofits across the state – one in each of the TBI divisions — to act as single point-of-contact agencies for all human trafficking cases. All human trafficking referrals in Tennessee are funneled through these four organizations to ensure quality services are provided to survivors of human trafficking in the most effective and efficient way possible. Grow Free Tennessee is the regional partner for upper East Tennessee.

Grow Free Tennessee addresses human trafficking through awareness, training, intervention and aftercare. They raise awareness about the overall issue of human trafficking; train and equip primary responders; oversee a locally focused, collaborative task force through which counter-trafficking work can flourish; and ensure a clear, restorative path for survivors of human trafficking. They are the only counter-trafficking organization in upper East Tennessee that works to unite and equip Knoxville and surrounding communities to end modern-day slavery while providing survivors of human trafficking with individualized, relational care.

This fall CCAHT is planning to open a safe house for survivors in Knoxville. Up to this point, the only beds for survivors of human trafficking have been located in middle Tennessee.

Thirty-One Gifts is one of the leading direct-selling companies in the U.S., offering purses and wallets, totes, thermal bags, home organization and décor items, travel products, jewelry and more. They are named for Proverbs 31, a Bible chapter that celebrates women’s virtues. They were founded in Tennessee in 2003.

Thirty-One places great importance on volunteerism and giving back to communities where employees and sales consultants live, and encourages them to give back. In 2012 the company began a philanthropic initiative called Thirty-One Gives to support nonprofit organizations that empower girls, women and families. To-date they’ve donated more than $100 million in cash and products to those nonprofits.

In addition to its products for the home and a woman’s busy lifestyle, Thirty-One donates 5 percent from the sale of each product to nonprofits that match their mission. Their round up program, whereby customers may round up their purchase price and donate the extra amount toward Thirty-One Gives charities, is another way their customers can support nonprofit organizations.

You may place an order online.