LINN — What began as a local effort to raise awareness about human trafficking has grown into a decade-long tradition that continues changing lives.

Supporters gathered Saturday at Linn City Park for the 10th annual Rescue Innocence 5K Run/Walk, raising awareness and support for survivors of human trafficking while celebrating a milestone for an event that has become a fixture in the community.

For Rescue Innocence founder Brent Messimer, the significance of the event extends far beyond the finish line.

“It is incredibly encouraging,” said Messimer. “We work hard to help people that have gone through things that we can’t even imagine, and just to be able to tell them that this event is happening year after year. It encourages them, it pushes them.”

Messimer said many survivors struggle with feeling unseen and forgotten.

“We have so many ladies who feel like nobody sees them,” he added. “This is an event for survivors.”

As runners made their way through the course, Messimer said he was reminded of the challenges survivors face every day. “We have runners here that are pushing themselves, that are going through step by step, just trying to make it through the race,” he said. “Life for survivors is a race. It’s an amazing image and an amazing picture that really mirrors the struggle for survivors.”

Messimer noted the annual event has developed into more than a fundraiser. Families return year after year, bringing children who are learning about the cause alongside their parents.

“One of the families, their two boys ran for the first time today,” he said. “Dad was saying they beat him, and he’s just so proud of them. It’s a family culture.”

Messimer said participants understand they are helping people rebuild their lives after trafficking.

“The people that are here, they don’t see it as just a 5K,” he said. “They don’t see it as another race they’re marking off. They see it as a way to help the ladies that have been through sex trafficking.”

Local organizer Diane Hopke, who has brought the event to Linn, said the continued support from volunteers, sponsors and participants remains humbling.

“It was a good crowd, and I’m so grateful for everybody,” said Hopke. “For the people that come participate, for people that financially support us, for the people that help.”

Hopke said the event’s longevity has exceeded anything she imagined when she first felt called to organize it.

“When God called me to do this, I had no idea,” she said. “We will do it as long as we’re physically able.”

While awareness of human trafficking has improved over the past decade, Hopke believes many people still underestimate how close to home the problem can be.

“People are more aware now, but they’re still a little naive about the fact that it could happen right here in Osage County and inland Missouri,” she said.

Hopke pointed to one survivor connected to Rescue Innocence who originally came from Bonnots Mill as an example.

“It happens in these little wayside places in the middle of nowhere,” she said. “It’s a horrific thing. I don’t want it to happen to any of my family, but I don’t want it to happen to somebody else’s family either.”

Messimer added that human trafficking often receives increased attention around major sporting events, when traffickers exploit large crowds and increased demand.

“There’s more customers than local brothels, local pimps, and local traffickers can supply,” he said. “Unfortunately, while the athletes are being brought in for the games and people are buying their seats, people are also bringing in slaves; they’re bringing in victims. It’s a horrific time for human trafficking every time there’s a big sporting event.”

Rescue Innocence’s 10th anniversary also provided an opportunity to reflect on progress made through the organization.

One of the major projects discussed in previous years was a transitional home for survivors. Messimer said that project is now complete. “The house is done,” he said. “A bunch of our local runners volunteered, and they did all of the drywalling, the mudding, and painting. They knocked out a project that would have taken us months to do.”

The home is already serving a family in need.

“We have a single mom with six children living there now, and she doesn’t have to worry about where she’s going to be,” said Messimer.

Support services continue to expand as well.

Messimer said Rescue Innocence’s survivor life groups have now been meeting for more than four years, providing meals, resources, encouragement and fellowship.

“Our life groups, we’re in over four years now of meeting annually with our survivors,” he said. “We’re getting ready to launch a new group that’s going to meet regularly, which is going to be a counseling group.”

The new initiative will be led by a licensed counselor who has already developed a year-long curriculum. “We’re excited,” Messimer said.

He encouraged community members to remain involved throughout the year through volunteering, supporting survivor life groups, helping provide meals, inviting speakers to local events, donating or simply helping maintain awareness. “Having a culture like this, where people know that this town cares about anti-trafficking, they care about awareness, it really helps people who are in that situation to have a voice,” said Messimer. “Because it’s not something that’s hidden. It’s not something that’s buried. It allows a safe place for them to step forward.”

For Hopke and Messimer, the 10th annual event served as a reminder that the community’s efforts are making a difference.

Ten years after the first race, the mission remains the same: raise awareness, support survivors and ensure those affected by human trafficking know they are not alone.

Rescue Innocence operates under the Umbrella of Outreach International, a non-profit that sends missionaries all over the world. Messimer serves as a missionary in Columbia, and abroad in Uganda, Africa.

Messimer said those who wants to support the mission is encouraged to do so.

Checks can be made payable to Outreach International (Memo: RI2201) and be mailed to Outreach International P.O. Box 272, Shelbyville, MO, 63469. All gifts are tax-deductible.

RACE WINNERS

The overall female winner was Kellien Kuschel, while Jackson Hamburg was the overall male winner.

Women’s Results — 10 and Under: Morgan Miller (first) and Ryann Koch (second); 20 and Under: Lindsey Miller (first, tie) and Joselyn Miller (first, tie); 21-39: Kellien Kuschel (first) and Ashley Brubaker (second); 40-55: Roxie Lee (first) and Heather Wibberg (second); 56 and Up: Venny Groene (first) and Doris Stieferman (second).

Men’s Results — 10 and Under: Damian Yutzy (first) and Marshall Kuschel (second); 20 and Under: Jackson Hamburg (first) and Chandler Yutzy (second); 21-39: Mason Zeilman (first) and Luke Brubaker (second); 40-55: Jeff Miller (first) and Jason Carman (second); 56 and Up: Mike Bock (first) and Tom Luebbering (second).

Supporting the event were American Realty & Dev., LLC, Annie’s Station, Casper’s 66, Classic Buildings, Cole County Industries, Inc., Community Christian Church, Curt Kliethermes Construction, Edward Jones, Elliott Chiropractic, H&M Christian Retreats, Inc., Hometown Lumber & Hardware, Jim Butler Linn, L&M Rentals/Deeken Farms, Legends Bank, Linn Fire Department, Linn First Church, Linn Lions Club, Linn Printing, MFA, Mid America Bank, Moonlight Dent, Morton Chapel, Mox Properties, Muenks Insurance, Salon Dash, Shelter Insurance, Symbols of Success, and Linn Thriftway.