Octorara /townlively
OCTOBER 14, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXX • NO 35
Church Slates Freedom 5K
The Octorara cross-country and track and field teams are hosting a virtual 5K fundraiser through Oct. 31. One of the teams competing this year in the fall season is the junior high girls’ cross-country team (pictured).
Octorara Sports Teams To Host Virtual Run BY FRANCINE FULTON
ince this year’s Run to Victory 5 Miler and 10-Mile Trail Run at Wolf ’s Hollow Park in Atglen were not scheduled this summer due to COVID-19, the Octorara cross-country and track and field teams are instead hosting a virtual 5K fundraiser. Proceeds will be used to purchase equipment in the spring for the track and field team. The event began on Sept. 28 and will run through Saturday, Oct. 31. Individuals may register for the virtual 5K at https:// runsignup.com/Race/PA/Atglen/ OctoraraBraves5KRun. According to Heather Bishop, Octorara Junior-Senior High School Cross-Country and Track and Field Booster Club vice president, participants can run the 5K at any location
team has been competing this fall with some added guidelines. “They start (races) together wearing masks, but they are allowed to take the masks off when they start running,” Bishop said. Both individuals and family members are welcome to run the 5K. It is not necessary to reside in the Octorara Area School District to participate. “ We chose this fundraiser because it related (to track and field), and it is something different for people who have been stuck inside,” Bishop said. She added that some members of the Octorara track and field and cross-country teams have already registered to participate in the virtual 5K. For more information, readers may visit the previously mentioned website or search for “Octorara XC and Track & Field” on Facebook.
and helps restore survivors. A21 operates in 17 countries, including four sites in the United States. Individuals who would like to participate in the Freedom 5K should register at https://freedom.life /freedom5k. Runners, walkers and sponsors are welcome. For those who do not want to run or walk a 5K, a donate button is provide on the website. For more information, readers may call 610-593-5959 or email stacey@freedom.life. More information about the A21 organization is available at www.a21.org.
Last year’s Freedom 5K was presented by Freedom Life Church at the Salisbury Township Park. Because of COVID-19, this year’s event on Oct. 17 will be virtual.
Natural Lands Issues Outdoor Challenge BY FRANCINE FULTON
Individuals and families looking to explore the outdoors at nature preserves located throughout the area are invited to take a challenge being issued by Natural Lands, a nonprofit land conservation organization. Those who explore all 30 of the nature preserves owned by Natural Lands, as well as Stoneleigh, a botanical garden, may collect code
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
COMMUNITY EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 PARKSBURG SEEKS TO RESCUE FIELD OF DREAMS . . . . .6 DANCING IN THE LIVING ROOM . . . . . . . . .7 HOUSE OF WORSHIP . . . . . . . . .11 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . .13
See Natural Lands pg 8
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of their choosing. “You can run a 5K though your town or on a course and (then) post your time,” she said, noting the times will be registered on an honor system. “The website will show you who has run and what their times are and give you a spot to upload your time.” For those who do not want to run a 5K, a donate button is provided at the registration website. Bishop explained that crosscountry is a fall sport and track and field is a spring sport. “There is a girls’ and boys’ cross-country team and a junior high team, so we have students from seventh through 12th-grades,” she said. “A lot of cross-county athletes also run track and field, and we have one booster club (for both). Track and field is bigger because it has a lot of events.” She noted that the cross-country
In the past five years, Freedom Life Church has raised more than $30,000 through the Freedom 5K, proceeds of which were donated to A21, a nonprofit organization working to end human trafficking. Because of COVID-19, the event will continue as a virtual run/walk this year. The community is invited to participate at the location and time of their choosing on Saturday, Oct. 17, between 7 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. “This event has become extremely important to our church and community,” said event coordinator Stacey McNutt. “Though we are unable to host a large special event, human trafficking is still a problem in our society. Its affects extend around the world and it exists here in our local area also.” Participants will record their times online, based on the honor system, and prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers of the 5K run. All who register will receive a free T-shirt and goodie bag. All proceeds from the Freedom 5K will go to A21, which rescues trafficking victims
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