Open Arms 5th Annual Spirit Sprint set for June 3

Monday, April 24, 2017

WORTHINGTON – Registration is now open for the Fifth Annual Open Arms Christian Ministries Spirit Sprint 5K Run/Walk that will be conducted on Saturday, June 3 at the Worthington Town Park.

The theme this year is “Run for a Life”, and the race will feature an option to make a virtual run if participation on the day of the event is not possible.

“Participants can help support our ministry by donating a run that can be done anywhere on any day by making a $20 donation, and they will receive a race t-shirt,” said Nick Schneider, Open Arms’ Volunteer Coordinator. “We know everyone has a busy schedule and we wanted to make it possible for participation for anyone who wants to support us.”

In addition, this year in following the theme of the event, runners/walkers will be paired with the name of a group home resident or a foster child. This will enable the participants to actually run for the life of the paired individual.

“Each participant, when they register, will receive a biographical summary of one of the youth served by Open Arms as a personal reminder of how the money they have donated to run or walk will be used,” Schneider explained. “This will put a face with the donation that links to a real life that will benefit from the money received for the race event.”

Early race entry fee is $15 per person with a $20 per person registration fee on the day of the race Medals will be awarded to best overall racer, as well as the first and second place finishers in each age category for male and females. Cost of the Fun Run is $10 per person. A $10 fee for an optional t-shirt will apply to both races.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the Fun Run at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K Run/Walk Race at 8:30 a.m.

Run/walk categories will be ages 14 and under; age 15-19; age 20-29; age 30-39; age 40-49; age 50-59; age 60-69; and age 70 and over. Fun runs will be conducted in the following age groups: age 4 and under (one-quarter mile), ages 4-6 (one-half mile); and ages 7-11 (1-mile).

A special church, organization or team competition winner will named for the group with the largest number of registered participants. The winner will receive the coveted “Holy Grail Trophy”. Greene County Chiropractic, of Worthington, is the defending trophy winner.

The proceeds raised at the event will benefit the ministries operated by Open Arms for the residents of the Miriam Group Home, foster care children and the students at the Turning Point Education Center (TPEC).

Early registration can be completed at Open Arms’ website at www.openarmschristian.com and going to the ‘Info/Events’ tab.

About Open Arms: Open Arms Christian Ministries, located about one mile east of Switz City on State 54, offers hope to youth through several avenues of service.

The Miriam Home specializes in services for females ages 14-17 in a group home setting. The goal is to provide these youngsters with their first positive parenting experience. Some of these girls have been abandoned, neglected, been physically or mentally abused, or have a history of alcohol/drug abuse, conduct disorders, truancy and psychological/behavioral disorders.

The campus offers a comprehensive Foster Care/Adoption program, which serves both female and male children.

A third part of campus ministry is Turning Point Education Center (TPEC), which helps students to obtain knowledge and make goal-setting decisions though credit recovery and Indiana’s High School Equivalency Exam (formerly G.E.D.). There is instruction in math, reading, writing, social studies and science. TPEC works in cooperation with the Indiana WorkOne office to offer adult education classes and career skills training in Linton, Bloomfield and Jasonville.