Pietas Coalition plans survivor art walkathon in Sumter on Nov. 14

Pietas Coalition will host its second annual Communities Against Trafficking Walk-A-Thon on Nov. 14 in Sumter, South Carolina, mixing prevention education, survivor art, family activities and a public dedication tied to Epstein-related records. The event is designed to bring more families into trafficking prevention work and expand community participation beyond last year’s inaugural walkathon.

Why it matters: - The walkathon combines trafficking prevention, community education and remembrance in one public event. - Pietas Coalition is using the program to move prevention messaging earlier, reaching families and children before harm occurs. - The event also aims to turn awareness into participation through art, workshops and community activities.

What happened: - Pietas Coalition will host the 2nd Annual Communities Against Trafficking Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Dillon Park in Sumter, South Carolina. - The event theme is “Because Every Child Deserves to Blossom.” - The program will include survivor art, community artwork, a flower workshop, a walkathon, music, face painting and prevention education. - Eugene Tossany, Pietas Coalition’s designated spokesperson, said prevention starts when families have information, children have trusted adults and communities recognize concerning behavior.

The details: - A coordinated flower-themed exhibition will showcase survivor and community artwork, locally created pieces and Pietas Coalition’s traveling art canvas. - Contributions to the art display are coming from both the West Coast and the East Coast. - The afternoon will include poster activities, flower art and the inspirational traveling art canvas. - One installation will feature an empty seat, an enlarged image of an email and a single rose. - The dedication honors a young survivor whose story appears in publicly released U.S. Department of Justice records associated with Epstein. - Pietas Coalition says the installation is meant to restore the human story behind documents, statistics and headlines. - The walkathon will also include a silent auction with unique Grainger jewelry, and proceeds will support prevention education and community programming. - Community members have been invited to contribute flower-themed artwork through workshops and outreach efforts before the event. - The 2026 walkathon builds on Pietas Coalition’s inaugural 2025 event, which used outdoor educational displays, statistics, awareness installations and an immersive experience. - This year’s event is designed to let families and community members participate rather than simply observe.

Between the lines: - The flower theme gives the event a softer entry point for a hard subject, which may make trafficking prevention easier for families to approach. - The dedication suggests Pietas Coalition is trying to connect policy records to individual human impact, not just awareness messaging. - The broader effort positions community art and local participation as tools for prevention engagement, not just event decoration. - Pietas Coalition says its work also includes Community Safety Seminars, preventative education, public awareness, veteran engagement, creative programming and coalition building.

What's next: - Media check-in is set for 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 14, with interview availability from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Pre-event filming is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - The approved photo area will be inside the Dillon Park entrance. - Additional media assets are available through the Pietas Coalition Digital Press Room. - Media contact: Eugene Tossany, info@pietascoalition.org, 210-468-8525. - Pietas Coalition’s social channels include LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.