Race Will Raise Funds For North Star Initiative
When Josh March, owner of emPower Training Systems, 276 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, first heard about human trafficking in Lancaster County during a presentation at Grace Community Church in Willow Street a few years ago, he was struck by its prevalence. "Most people don't realize human trafficking is a big issue in our area," he said. "As a father and husband, it really hits home."
In response to what he had learned, the Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) world champion and coach and season nine "American Ninja Warrior" alumnus decided to take action. He will donate a portion of the funds from the obstacle course event he holds to North Star Initiative, an organization that has been fighting human trafficking in Lancaster for more than a decade. The organization operates The Harbor, known as Lancaster County's first restoration home for survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, and plans to have a Survivors Center completed by the end of August. According to North Star interim executive director Janelle Esbenshade, the organization recently graduated two women who have completed the program and are living independently.
The third annual emPower stadium-style obstacle course race will be held at the stadium where the Barnstormers play on Saturday, Aug. 27. The three-mile course was designed by March to include more than 20 fun and challenging obstacles. "It's for all levels," noted Esbenshade. "There's the open race for people who just want to experience it, and they have a competitive race where there are cash prizes." Esbenshade added that there is a team race for those who want to gather friends to join them and a family race where parents can participate with their children and have fun. According to March, the fitness challenge takes place on the field, underneath the stadium, in the batting cages, and outside the stadium on the property and in the parking lot, with the finish line at the first-base line. "It's an exciting, fun, and unique event," he said.
Each year that the obstacle course challenge has been held, emPower has given a percentage of the proceeds to a local organization. "We choose to give back every year," explained March. "We are Christian-based, and we believe everything we have is a blessing." The choice of North Star as a faith-based organization was important to March. "We look for a local nonprofit with a mission that really resonates with us," he said.
Readers who would like to sign up for the event or learn more about North Star may visit https://northstarinitiative.org.
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