By participating in a 5K in Mount Joy, you can make a difference in the lives of children halfway around the world. The Arm of Hope 5K will be held on Saturday, May 22, beginning at 9 a.m. at Hope Community Church, 1806 Harrisburg Ave., Mount Joy. There is also an opportunity to participate virtually from now through Friday, May 21.
"The Arm of Hope 5K is raising funds to help bring street children to summer camp at the Arm of Hope ministry center in Ghana for fun, education and Bible lessons," explained Greg Grove, race co-director. "Arm of Hope is a Ghanaian-run ministry that operates Bible clubs and provides education for children living in the streets and slums of Ghana."
Arm of Hope began as a partnership between Philip Darko and Hope Community Church. Darko wanted to offer the opportunity for the children of Accra, Ghana, to receive an education. He named the nonprofit Arm of Hope because he envisioned an "arm" reaching from Pennsylvania to Ghana to offer hope and help. The program grew from sponsoring 77 children its first year to helping hundreds attend school and participate in children's camp.
The 5K is the organization's biggest fundraiser, Grove noted, adding that although last year's event was all virtual, it was the group's most successful one yet. "We raised over $10,000 last year," he stated.
The race takes place on a flat course through Mount Joy. "It's a very family-friendly route," Grove said. "We have walkers, runners, people pushing strollers, people who bring their dogs. We invite anyone to participate. The more the merrier." For people who want to participate virtually, a phone app that uses GPS will help chart their course and track results to include with the in-person results. Prizes will be awarded for the first- and second-place male and female runners in the under 40 and 40-and-over categories. These top runners will receive a carved wooden trophy from Ghana.
"We ask everyone who participates to fundraise to help Arm of Hope," Grove remarked. "It takes just $50 to send a kid to camp." Along with prizes for the top finishers, prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers. "We also have door prizes like you wouldn't believe," Grove said. "Almost everybody walks away with a prize."
He added that the Arm of Hope 5K offers an opportunity to make a difference while having fun at the same time. "It's just a really fun day," he said. "It's a chance to get outside, win a prize and support a great cause."
For more information on the Arm of Hope 5K or to register, visit http://www.armofhopeinghana.org/5k.
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