Actions can be moving and influential. They don't need words.

Silence speaks volumes.

Hope Inspire Love's Freedom Walk raises awareness and funds for the war on human trafficking and sexual exploitation through the silent treatment.

"It's really powerful," said Amy Thurston, who's been Hope Inspire Love's CEO and president for the last eight years. "When we hear our community say, 'We're glad you're here,' it really means a lot. The walk was something we attended in Harrisburg in 2017, and we asked, 'What are we doing here?' Everyone wears all black. What we've seen is that the community can get behind something that doesn't cause a ruckus. People want to know why we're quiet and they want to know why we're happy in the midst of something so heavy."

This year's sixth edition of the Hope Inspire Love's annual Freedom Walk will be conducted on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Musser Park, 135 N. Lime St., Lancaster. Concerned walkers can register at https://hopeinspirelove.org/freedomwalk or at the event the day of.

"There's a lot of excitement because people want to know what they can do to help," said Thurston. "People cheer us on as we go. Anybody can do this. If you can't walk, you can support us. We also have survivors walking with us. As we walk, some people become emotional. Some people pray through the walk. When people come back, they feel like they did something."

The silent 2-mile Freedom Walk, which will start just before 11 a.m. and take about an hour to complete, will begin and end at Musser Park. In a single-file line, walkers traverse the city blocks through Lancaster Central Market and past the Lancaster County courthouse.

The event will also feature live music, a kids' zone, a display that tells the stories of human trafficking survivors and statistics and information from similar organizations battling human trafficking.

"Every year during the walk, I will jump out of line and thank people, because we can't do it alone," said Thurston. "Sometimes that thank you is filled with tears because the line keeps getting stronger and stronger. I don't want the line to stop. I want to see it keep getting longer and longer."

More than 500 concerned citizens from all over Lancaster County and surrounding areas are expected to participate in the Freedom Walk. Hope Inspire Love is hoping to realize $75,000 in proceeds from the walk, which will serve as ammunition in the battle against human trafficking.

"There are people who continue to come back for the Freedom Walk," said Thurston. "We have individuals who work alongside us. It's people who have heard about the work. We invite nonprofits from outside the county to participate. Each of us can make a difference in the fight against human trafficking."

A faith-aligned nonprofit, Hope Inspire Love, which is located at 1380 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, also hosts a formal gala, which next year will be held on Friday, April 10, at Eden Resort Lancaster, 222 Eden Road, to raise funds and awareness to combat the societal blemish.

In addition, Hope Inspire Love sponsors training events, therapeutic art classes and equine therapy.

"(The Freedom Walk) started with a passion and with a small group of people," said Thurston, a resident of Manheim Township. "We saw excitement, and we invited a few nonprofits. Maybe 75 to 100 people came. As it's grown, we've had amazing businesses join. We have kids holding signs that say, 'I'm not for sale.' We want our kids to be safe, and this is what it looks like. That's why we want families to come out."

Established in 2017, Hope Inspire Love now employs seven individuals - three full-time workers and four part-time workers. The organization, which also makes use of contracted employees and volunteer mentors, is funded through donations from businesses, churches, foundations and individuals, as well as grants.

"(The growth) has been beautiful," said Thurston. "We've expanded how we serve. Now we're able to serve moms and their kiddos. We have an amazing team that is steadfast in the work, and our community has been behind this 100%. The survivors let us be part of their stories."