Nineteen-year-old Zach Jennissen traveled on foot from Sioux Falls to Luverne Monday night as part of a 600-mile trek to Canada.
The 2022 Foley High School grad has been making the trip since he was in sixth grade to promote the 30 for Freedom cause to end human trafficking.
“I’m blessed that I get to use my gift to improve the lives of others,” he said Monday.
“Human trafficking is something that is near to my heart and it’s a large issue in this country. It’s much larger than people know and I’m trying to make it known.”
He stayed with Canaan Petersen in Luverne Monday night and continued the next day to Mankato. His future route includes St. Cloud, Brainerd, Duluth and eventually through Grand Portage.
30 for Freedom started with one man’s vision to get 30 of his friends to run 30 miles to raise $30,000 on his 30th birthday to help victims of sex trafficking.
Brent Silkey’s vision has since then inspired thousands to raise $1.56 million in the past seven years.
Jennissen’s FB page has a Venture Miles link to support his cause.