Lauren Book is gearing up for a 1,500-mile walk across Florida, from Key West to Tallahassee, distributing friendship bracelets and shedding light on a difficult topic. “We’re covering over 20 miles each day,” she shares. Book is the founder of Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse and aiding survivors in their healing journey. “I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse myself,” she reveals, detailing her experiences from age 10 to 16. Her goal is to transform her painful past into a source of support for others.
The former Florida state senator initiated the “Walk in My Shoes” campaign over a decade ago, starting annually in Key West and spanning cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and more, culminating at the Tallahassee Capitol on April 30. Last year, over 5,000 people participated, with a target of 7,500 this year. To infuse something new, Book drew inspiration from Taylor Swift’s stadium bracelet exchange during the Eras Tour and incorporated it into the journey.
Survivors and supporters craft bracelets bearing names, ages, and Swift’s lyrics to distribute to child abuse centers, fostering solidarity and connection. Book emphasizes the power of small acts of kindness and the impact they can have on those in need. She plans school visits and community engagements throughout April, including making large bracelets for the Florida Panthers’ mascots and partnering with Bikers Against Child Abuse in Ocala.
Despite the challenges of a 1,500-mile trek, Book remains dedicated to raising awareness and supporting survivors. With an estimated 42 million child sexual abuse survivors in the U.S., her mission is more crucial than ever. Interested participants can sign up for the event at laurenskidswalk.org. For crafty Swifties wanting to contribute, inspirational friendship bracelets can be sent to her Hollywood office.
Don’t miss out on any updates about Taylor Swift; subscribe to the complimentary weekly newsletter, This Swift Beat. Stay connected with Bryan West, the Taylor Swift reporter for the USA TODAY Network, on Instagram, TikTok, and X by following @BryanWestTV. This article was first published on Nashville Tennessean: Thousands set to walk across Florida, distributing friendship bracelets.
