Freedom Life Church will present the eighth annual Freedom 5K and fun run at Salisbury Township Community Park, also known as Gap Park, 750 White Horse Road, Gap, on Saturday, Oct. 15. The run/walk will be followed by a Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat. Participation in the Freedom 5K and fun run are not required to attend the Fall Festival.

All proceeds from the 5K and fun run will benefit two nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to victims of human trafficking. "It's the most fun way to make a difference," said event organizer Stacey McNutt.

Registration for the Freedom 5K will open at 7:45 a.m., and the timed 5K will begin at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in various age categories, based on a chip timing system. A modified fun run will follow the 5K, and it will not be timed.

The 5K course consists of four laps around the park. The paved course will follow a trail around trees and ballfields in the park and will include low-grade inclines and declines. "(The course) is all within the parameters of the park where they currently have a walk/run path," said McNutt. "There will be cheer teams along the course, water stations and signage to guide our walkers/runners." Participants will be provided with snacks, including fruit and granola bars.

The fun run, open to people of all ages, will be one lap around the park, which equates to three-quarters of a mile. All participants in the fun run age 12 and younger will receive a completion medal. Children are encouraged to dress in costume for the fun run as well as the Fall Festival.

The two organizations that will benefit from the run/walk are A21 and North Star Initiative. A21 aims to reach, rescue and restore individuals caught in the cycle of slavery in the United States and around the world. North Star Initiative operates a restoration home for sex trafficking survivors in Lancaster County. For more details about the organizations, visit http://www.a21.org and http://www.northstarinitiative.org, respectively. Information about both organizations will also be available at the event on Oct. 15.

"With support from sponsors and participants, Freedom Life has been able to give more than $40,000 to the fight against human trafficking since its first Freedom 5K," McNutt pointed out.

The FL Kids Team at Freedom Life Church will offer the community Fall Festival beginning at 9:30 a.m. "It is free to everyone. We will have bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, candy apple dipping, a photo booth, games and other activities," said McNutt, noting that the Trunk or Treat will open at 10:30 a.m.

"It's a fun day from start to finish, with music, games and fun for all ages," she added. "We welcome everyone to come out and enjoy this community event."

In the event of inclement weather, the Freedom 5K and fun run will continue as planned; the Fall Festival will be postponed until the evening of Friday, Oct. 28, and moved to Freedom Life Church, 447 Noble Road, Christiana. To register for the 5K and fun run, visit http://www.freedom.life/freedom5k. For more information about the event, call the church office at 610-593-5959 or visit http://www.facebook.com/freedomlife.tv.