A giant rubber band ball is making it's way through NJ in an attempt to break world record.
SALEM -- A giant rubber band ball is bouncing its way through South Jersey in an attempt to break a world record while raising awareness for children suffering from abuse.
The 14-pound rubber band ball may have thousands of pounds to gain before beating the current Guinness World Record of 9,032 pounds, but it's a community effort that is making a difference along the journey.
But what's the message behind this bountiful project? Community Treatment Solutions -- a nonprofit organization providing services and programs to children faced with trauma through abuse and neglect -- started the project to raise awareness.
"We're taking the ball around to different businesses, organizations, schools and clubs, traveling around to get help from everybody," Director of Development for Community Treatment Solutions Mark Hatoff said.
The ball made it's way down to Salem County Monday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
The organization started the rubber band ball in May and it has since grown to 14 pounds, according to Hatoff. More than 1,000 kids have participated by adding rubber bands since the beginning.
"This project is significant. It is so symbolic -- if we work together we can accomplish anything," CTS CEO Susan Buchwald said.
CTS served roughly 450 kids, most who show symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, through various programs last year, according to Buchwald.
The organization is calling the project Rubber Band Bus (Bands that Unite Us). By adding rubber bands to the ball, CTS is raising awareness, providing resources to children, and raising money.
The BUS unites everyone in an effort to prevent child abuse and advocate for victims, raise awareness about the long-term impact of trauma children face, and teach children about abuse prevention, reminding them that they matter.
"This is a community service. Every day we work with kids with horrific abuse and they are impacted forever. We have to give these kids a voice," Buchwald said.
"The whole point is we have an obligation to these kids. The idea is simply not to forget that we have this obligation," the CEO continued.
And why not try and break a world record along the way?
The ball will continue to make stops at events and public and private venues throughout the area where participants can add rubber bands, take photos, and partake in the challenge.
For more information or to book a rubber band ball visit check out www.ctsnj.org/donate-to-the-rubber-band-bus or check out #rubberbandbus on social media.
Brittany Wehner may be reached at bwehner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @brittanymwehner. Find NJ.com on Facebook.