For Freedom

rol White’s Personal Fitness Studio a one-stop shop on the path to improving and maintaining one’s health. Carol White began her involvement with the battle to end human trafficking by educating and creating awareness in our state’s communities. In August 2014, during the annual 74th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, White joined a team of volunteers handing out printed material to help rally-goers identify and report victims of human trafficking. After participating in such a hands-on approach to create awareness, White knew that she wanted to become more involved. The following month, White teamed up with local photographer Kristina Barker, local graphic designer Katy Stulc, and F.R.E.E. International's Tess Franzen. The team collaborated on a calendar project that brought together two dozen studio members to share where they find strength and inspiration in life. Thanks to the generous donations of time and talent by project members, and an incredible gift of printing costs covered by Simpson’s Printing of Rapid City, 250 calendars were produced for free, making it possible for 100 percent of the donations to be put towards ending human trafficking in our state. Seeing that there is still human trafficking happening within our state, White and her team of volunteers knew that their efforts were not complete. With over two decades of empowering women to find inner and outer strength, White was drawn to the cause of making a difference in victim’s lives and educate the community.

“My passion in life is giving my time and energy to others to make a difference in their life!”
White is committed to the cause and knows her past experiences and professional expertise will be important components in finding a way to help end human trafficking in our state by spreading her message and mission for all people to be happy, healthy and free. "What drew me to become involved in the fight against human trafficking is my past experience being a victim of sexual abuse. I am no longer a victim and want to help people out there that think there is no way out. I care and will do what I can to make a difference. It is my mission to end human trafficking." White is also a member of the South Dakota's West River Human Trafficking Task Force on the fundraising, rally and awareness committee. Katy Stulc, co-founder

Katy Stulc’s passion for volunteering began at a young age. Her volunteering started at the Methodist Hospital in Mitchell, South Dakota where she spent time with residents. She carried that experience through to her adult life and continues to volunteer as time allows. Katy has a special place in her heart for helping animals and children. Her dedication to our state’s youth has drawn her to the fight to end human trafficking. Stulc became involved with Carols White’s efforts in September 2014. Up until that point, like most of us she had only heard of the issue, but did not know the extent of the problem in her home state. Stulc volunteered her skills as a graphic designer for White’s calendar fundraiser by designing the calendar that would go on to raise about $10,000 for local causes.

“I had no idea the problem was so large. I felt a need to help in any way that I could,” Stulc says about her involvement. “I like to think that I am one of those people who takes action when I see a problem. I always tell people, ‘You either do, or you don’t,’ it’s that simple.”

Stulc looks forward to working on the For Freedom project with the team and seeing the many lives that these volunteers will change. In her professional career, Stulc serves as the Executive Director of the South Dakota Chiropractors Association. She also serves as the board President of Operation Pets, Inc., a local not-for-profit organization that offers low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for cats and dogs living with low-income families. Stulc was born and raised in South Dakota and has been married to her husband Ryan for 12 years and they have two furry friends in their family, Molly and Clara. Gabriel Krekk, featured artist

Gabriel Krekk was born in Hungary in 1955. At the outbreak of the Hungarian/Russian revolution in 1956, his family escaped during the war to Austria where the family would spend two years in refugee camps before immigrating with his family to Canada in 1959. Krekk has been an artist since early childhood and worked through every artistic medium to finally find his calling with watercolors in the mid 1980s. He uses his photographic talents to capture unique aspects of his subjects before painting. He studies life in its purest form, working to bring to life with his camera what will then be translated to his paintings. His photorealism is masterful and displays the authority he has over his craft. While his choice of mediums has evolved over the years, his passion lies in watercolors, teaching him patience and seeing the beauty in all things. The human form, specifically American Cowgirls, are his current focus. Krekk splits his time between the United States - to travel and photograph cowgirls - and Canada - where he paints for months at a time. His view of the new generation of women in the Old West drives his creative focus. Throughout his years as a professional artist, Krekk has supported many agencies with donations of his limited edition prints that support women and their families. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Sexual Assault Center and the Three Oaks Foundation are among some of the recipients of his donated work. In the late 1990s he sat as the Belleville, Ontario Procter & Gamble United Way Chairman for two years and on the Budget Review Committee of the Quinte & District United Way. In 2000, Krekk took on the chair of the Communications Leader for Campaign Committee designing the graphics and video for the Ordinary Miracles theme. In 2007, he launched the For Freedom Project to help organizations raise much-needed funding through the use of his signature series prints “For Freedom.”

In October 2014, shortly after a photoshoot in Reva, South Dakota, Krekk was connected to Carol White through another South Dakotan, who encouraged the two connect based on their passion for helping organizations working to better their communities. White shared her vision regarding projects to eliminate human trafficking in South Dakota. After researching her cause, Krekk felt passionately about helping to eradicate the crime. He offered up his For Freedom Project to help raise as much money as needed to deliver the materials and programs to eliminate human trafficking.

“I personally have zero tolerance to any form of enslavement, abuse or sexual solicitation. To combine the synergy of Carol White’s team and the For Freedom Project is an opportunity of significant proportions.”

It is Krekk's hope that through the marketing of the For Freedom Project, funds can be raised to educate and inform the public. "It is effectively about improving the lives of human beings and saving those human beings from the atrocities of human trafficking that ensures my commitment to this team and to this cause." Sam Kirschenmann, team member

We are so excited to introduce a new team member. Local Rapid City mother and student Sam Kirschenmann will be joining the For Freedom team! Sam will soon be a senior at Black Hills State University and brings an incredible wealth of knowledge to this important cause. The mother of a busy baby boy is double majoring in Human Service and Sociology with a minor is Psychology. Two quotes stick in her mind when thinking about human trafficking: "You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” And one of her favorites by Martin Luther King Jr.: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” "I think that these two are so prefect to describe why I feel a need to do my part to end the practice of buying and selling human beings,” Sam says about these powerful words.