Each step you take on Saturday, May 21, can make a difference in a child's life. The ninth annual Arm of Hope 5K will be held beginning at 9 a.m. at Hope Community Church, 1806 Harrisburg Ave., Mount Joy. Proceeds will benefit Arm of Hope, a Ghanaian-run ministry.

"It's a fun event for a great cause," said Greg Grove, one of the race directors, noting that the course is mostly flat and very family-friendly. "We take walkers, strollers, dogs, families. If you're a serious runner, we have trophies, but if you just want to come and walk the course, you are welcome."

The top male and female finishers will receive hand-carved trophies from Ghana, while baked goods will be awarded to the winners in various age groups. "We're really excited to bring the baked goods back," Grove said, explaining that the treats were not offered after the race for the past two years in the height of the pandemic. "Volunteers at the church make the baked goods and everyone loves them." Additionally, a variety of door prizes will be available for all participants.

Registration for the 5K is by donation only, with proceeds helping to fund programs for children living in the slums of Ghana. "Part of the Arm of Hope ministry is providing a summer camp program, where the kids get together to do fun activities, learn about Jesus, do crafts, play games," Grove explained. "It's something the kids really look forward to. They get three warm meals a day and they get to sleep on a mattress, which is something they don't normally get to do." Grove noted that it costs $50 to send a child to camp and that funding is provided by both the 5K proceeds and additional donations. Last year, 600 children attended the camps. Grove has gone to the camp for four years, including this past January. His race co-directors, Keith Franz and Kirk Belmont, have also attended the camp.

Grove noted that Arm of Hope began as a ministry of Hope Community Church but was recently granted nonprofit status as its own organization. Along with a donation to participate in the race, people are encouraged to participate in peer-to-peer fundraising to multiply their impact. The top fundraisers will receive thank-you gifts including sweatshirts and YETI stainless-steel tumblers.

To register for the Arm of Hope 5K, visit http://www.armofhopeinghana.org/5K. Same-day registration at the site will be available, but participants who register online by Saturday, May 7, will receive a race T-shirt.