Featured Events
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New Coaches Training
If you are interested in coaching Girls on the Run for the first time this fall, plan to join us for one of the following new coaches training sessions.
Sunday, July 29
12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
MICDS
Saturday, August 4
8 a.m. - Noon
MICDS
Contact Ashley or visit this webpage if you are interested in coaching or want to learn more.
Fast Fitness Bootcamp
Get in shape and support GOTR! Fast Fitness Bootcamp in Edwardsville, IL has chosen Girls on the Run St. Louis as the beneficiary of its upcoming Love Your Body! Bootcamp Sessions. The classes will be held in conjunction with their grand opening.
The bootcamp classes will be held:
Anytime between 8-10 a.m.
Township Park, Edwardsville, IL
Saturday, June 16 and Saturday, June 23
Click here to register.
10th Anniversary Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
Save the date! Girls on the Run St. Louis wants to recognize and celebrate all of our amazing volunteers! Plan to join us on Sunday, July 15 at Tower Grove Park (Sons of Rest Pavilion) for a family-friendly afternoon of fun, food, games and camaraderie!
Look for an invitation with more details coming to your inbox soon!
Girls on the Run Night at the Gateway Grizzlies
Join us for a fun night at GCS Ballpark, home of the Gateway Grizzlies with Girls on the Run.
Friday, August 24
7:05 p.m.
Field box reserved seats are only $10. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Girls on the Run St. Louis scholarship fund.
Purchase tickets here. Click on the Specialty Group button. The password is girlsrun.
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GOTR St. Louis
Turns 10!
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Girls on the Run St. Louis is celebrating 10 years helping more than 10,000 girls in third through eighth grade in the St. Louis metropolitan area improve their self-esteem through a unique character development program that combines life skills lessons with training for a 5k! That's impressive, considering the program began on a Clayton park bench in 2002 with just 20 girls.
We plan to spend three seasons (Spring 2012, Fall 2012 and Spring 2013):
- Celebrating the 10-year anniversary;
- Reconnecting with alumni of the program and their families;
- Raising awareness of the value of the Girls on the Run St. Louis program
Pencil in these upcoming events:
July 15, 2012: Volunteer appreciation picnic
September 20, 2012: Lunafest, a film festival by, for and about women
Fall 2012: Health symposium
November 17, 2012: Girls on the Run St. Louis 5k race downtown St. Louis
Spring 2013: Grand finale event
Keep an eye on our website, Facebook, Twitter, and this spot for upcoming announcements about our birthday party and how you can celebrate with us!
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Volunteer Spotlight
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At the heart of GOTR are amazing volunteers whose commitment and passion change the lives of thousands of girls throughout the St. Louis region each year. Meet one of our superstar volunteer coaches ... Stephanie Digirolamo.  Stephanie can be credited with introducing the Girls on the Run program to the Collinsville, IL community. She started the GOTR team at Renfro Elementary in Collinsville in Fall 2010 and has been coaching ever since. Stephanie teaches 4th grade at Renfro and has 3 children of her own; Keith (14), Mia (6), and Ava (5). Stephanie also gives back to GOTR as a SoleMate, which is the adult charity running program for Girls on the Run St. Louis. She will be running her second full marathon in Chicago this fall! Stephanie says, "I have not always been a runner as most people think. About three years ago a really good friend asked me to run a five mile race with her, I nearly fell over laughing because I could not run five blocks, however she promised me she would help me. Three years later, 50 pounds lighter, 18 half marathons and 1 full, here I am! Running is addictive and as a GOTR coach and SoleMate I hope to inspire many girls!" Here's what else Stephanie had to say in her own words ... When did you first get involved with Girls on the Run? I first became involved with Girls on the Run in fall 2010, as a head coach and site liaison at Renfro. A friend of mine had told me about the program. Renfro Elementary is a National and State School of Character and I thought the program would be a great fit. I also feel as if girls need an outlet to express themselves in a comfortable setting, while learning about being a "girl" in today's world. What is the most rewarding thing about Girls on the Run? The most rewarding experience is listening to the girls talk about GOTR to other girls and other adults. The girls use phrases such as, "It's so awesome, you don't have to be a fast runner just do your best." "The coaches are super nice, they help you do your best." And "It's not like you are even running, and you get to run with a million people at the 5k." Parents also comment after each season about how the program has helped their daughter have more self esteem and become more positive at home and in the classroom. What's your favorite Girls on the Run cheer? "Superstar" It sums up what every girl is to me! Why would you recommend others get involved as a volunteer for Girls on the Run? The satisfaction I feel when the girls cross the finish line, run an entire lap during practice, or make a new friend during the course of the season is worth a million words. Read more here! |
Special Sponsor Offers
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20% OFF AT CHILL All School-Year Long! Wear your fall season purple or spring season sapphire GOTR program t-shirt to any of Chill's three locations and receive 20% off your favorite healthy treat all school-year long! Chill Wydown 7610 Wydown Blvd. Clayton, MO 63105 Chill Des Peres 11935 Manchester Rd. Des Peres, MO 63131 Chill Ladue 9793 Clayton Rd. Ladue, MO 63124 Sponsorship Opportunities: We are looking for companies to help us deliver our life changing program to thousands of girls in the St. Louis region. This means exposure to 5,000+ girls and their families, and 1,000 + adult volunteers for both fall and spring seasons, as well as visibility at our 5k race at the end of each season. If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Katy Sommer. |
Support our Sponsors
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     Media Partner
Alum on the Run Sponsor
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Join Us, Follow Us, Share with Us
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If you have any questions or comments about this e-newsletter, please e-mail Katie. |
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Did You Know?
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| Fun facts about the Spring 2012 season
Even though it's summer and we're in between Girls on the Run seasons, the GOTR-STL Run office is busy with preparations for the upcoming fall 2012 season. We're always working to improve the program and our operations to continue serving as many girls as possible throughout the St. Louis region.
But let's take a moment to reflect on the amazing spring 2012 season that just ended. It was our largest season ever!!!! Did you know that ...
- More than 250 new coaches were trained at the beginning of the season
- We served nearly 2,600 girls
- More than 1,700 scholarships were given totaling nearly $150,000
- We had teams at 127 schools, nearly 30 of which were brand new
- More than 150 pairs of shoes were given to girls in need
- More than 5,600 people ran in our 5k
- Approximately 850 volunteer coaches helped deliver this life-changing program this past season
- More than 600 hooded sweatshirts were purchased
The momentum for this program continues to grow! Thanks again to everyone who made the spring 2012 season so successful. We're already excited about the fall season, which will kick off with practices starting the week of September 10!
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Coaches Wanted!
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| | Do you want to make a difference in a girl's life?
Are you interested in making a difference in a girl's life this fall? We're looking for energetic adults to act as volunteer coaches for girls in schools across the St. Louis region.
Girls on the Run is a dynamic after school program that uses the power of running to prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. During the 10-week program girls are empowered with a greater sense of self-awareness, a foundation in team building and a sense of achievement. We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experienced-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
If you are interested in coaching Girls on the Run for the first time this fall, plan to join us for one of the following new coaches training sessions.
Sunday, July 29
12:30 - 4:30 p.m. at MICDS (Ladue, MO)
Saturday, August 4
8 a.m. - Noon at MICDS (Ladue, MO)
The fall season begins in September and runs through mid-November. To view the volunteer coaching roles and to learn more about becoming a coach click here.
Contact Ashley if you are interested in coming to new coaches training.
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Build-a-Bin Donations Needed
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| Help us build each team's supply box
Every season, Girls on the Run St. Louis outfits each team with a box of supplies to use during the lessons outlined in the Girls on the Run curriculum. This summer, we would love "gifts" of the following supplies to help keep our costs as low as possible. You might have some of these items laying around your house! - Tennis balls (used are welcome!)
- Standard mailing labels
- Markers
- Packages of loose leaf paper
- Small mailing envelopes (6 ¾ regular envelopes)
- White poster board (Large or small)
- Large manila envelopes (8 ½ x 11)
- Colored card stock, any color
- Orange cones (tall kind, not disc shaped)
- Craft loops (the kind used to make potholders, available at Hobby Lobby)
- Clip boards (to hold letter size paper)
- 12" Beach Balls
- Packages of pony beads, any colors
- Packages of red, blue or green construction paper
- Yarn
- Marbles (small size)
- Balloons (12")
- Paper horns
- Popsicle sticks
- 65-quart tubs with latches for the lids
Feel free to drop off any donations at the Girls on the Run office or contact us at 314-862-6266 to make pick-up arrangements. If you have any questions, please e-mail Leah Woodson. Don't have access to these items? You can make a donation to Girls on the Run St. Louis to help underwrite the cost of supply purchases. Your tax-deductible gift will provide a crucial piece of the program to our girls. Visit our website to make a donation Thank you! |
Join Girls on the Run at the Cardinals Game
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| | GOTR roots, roots, roots for the Cards on July 8
Join the Girls on the Run Junior Board for a fun summer fundraiser at the ballpark! Cheer on the Cardinals and help raise money for the Girls on the Run St. Louis scholarship fun d.
Cardinals vs. Marlins
Sunday, July 8
1:15 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for the Right Field Pavilion and include a free hotdog and soda. Proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the GOTR scholarship fund. Click here to purchase your tickets online.
Order your tickets by June 20 and you'll be entered for a chance to have you and your family on the field before the game or visit the FOX Sports Midwest broadcast booth at Busch Stadium!
The deadline to order tickets is June 22.
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Girls on the Run St. Louis Welcomes New Staff
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| | Meet the GOTR office's new team members
With contin ued growth in its program across 19 counties in Missouri and Illinois, Girls on the Run St. Louis is excited to announce several key staff additions. Meet the dynamic women who will help us serve a record number of girls in the 2012-2013 school year!
Renee Parks, Program Coordinator - Returning to her native St. Louis, Renee brings a passion for the Girls on the Run mission. With an extensive background in physical activity, wellness and health promotion, Renee has served as Vice President of Community Development on the GOTR Kansas City Board of Directors, as well as been a GOTR coach and SoleMate. We are excited to have her working with our teams. She will be supporting the teams in central St. Louis County in addition to St. Charles, Warren, Montgomery and Lincoln Counties.
Leah Woodson, Program Administrator - Leah provides overall support to the program team and serves as the first point of contact at the Girls on the Run office. Leah has a background in education and youth development and a strong personal belief in the GOTR mission. She has been a Girls on Track coach and was inspired to complete her first half marathon by the girls on her team!
Sam Rhoades, Program Coordinator - Samantha (Sam) Rhoades joined the GOTR team as our new program coordinator in a part-time capacity. Working primarily with the program sites in north St. Louis County, she brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for the program. Sam has been a GOTR coach at Flynn Park Elementary in the University City School District since fall 2007, has volunteered at coaches training, and is a three-time SoleMate for GOTR, calling it the "most motivating and inspiring way to pull through a challenging race."
We welcome and congratulate all of these women on their new roles with Girls on the Run St. Louis. We hope you get to know and work with our amazing team!
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Do you "like" Girls on the Run St. Louis?
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| | Stay connected with GOTR all year-long ... "like" us on Facebook!
Keep up-to-date on the latest Girls on the Run happenings and share your favorite Girls on the Run or running moments with us by joining our Facebook community.
Click here to "like" Girls on the Run St. Louis.
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Calling All Artists!
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 At Girls on the Run St. Louis we work with many community organizations to help secure funding and support for our scholarship program. One organization we are proud to partner with is the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association (SLCCA).
The two-fold mission of the SLCCA is to share the message of "Peace on Earth, good will to all men" to St. Louis neighborhoods through the tradition of caroling, while supporting the work of agencies serving children with the contributions received. In 2011, 45 metro St. Louis area children's agencies benefitted from the caroler's collection, including Girls on the Run St. Louis.
The SLCCA is now seeking a wonderful new piece of art to feature on their 2012 Christmas card! We know how creative our girls are and we wanted to share the opportunity to participate in this fun contest if they choose.
Contest Guidelines:
- The artwork should have a Christmas theme and feature a group of carolers.
- If possible, the artwork should feature a St. Louis landmark or reference.
- The artwork should be colorful and no larger than 8" x 10".
- Submissions must be received at our at the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association Office (7425 Forsyth Boulevard, Suite 353, St. Louis, MO 63105) no later than July 31, 2012. The SLCCA executive committee will meet in early August to review submissions and choose this year's card. (original artwork will be returned to the artist)
- The winning artist will be credited on the card itself, on the SLCAA website, and receive a small stipend from SLCAA.
If you or your Girl on the Run is interested in participating, more information is available at the SLCCA website.
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Ready...Set...
| | | Use the power of running to change the lives of thousands of girls
Are you starting to think about a fall race to run? Did you finish the Girls on the Run 5k and now you're ready for a bigger challenge. It may be the middle of a hot St. Louis summer but now is the time to start your fall training.
Consider becoming a SoleMate. SoleMates is the charity running component of Girls on the Run St. Louis. SoleMates participants are men and women who pursue individual goals, such as running a half or full marathon or triathlon, to raise money for Girls on the Run St. Louis. Engaging the community to support our mission is critical in order to impact the lives of thousands of girls. 100% of the funds raised through SoleMates stays in the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area to ensure local girls a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Right now we have a special offer for SoleMates interested in running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October - your FREE entry!
By running as a SoleMate for Girls on the Run St. Louis you will only have to pay a $26 registration fee, the cost of marathon registration is waived!
The 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration is officially sold out. Girls on the Run St. Louis has a limited number of bonus entries available until June 30, 2012. Runners will be able to run and raise money for the St. Louis council!
Bonus entries include...
- A shoe box of goodies, including a training guide and technical training singlet
- A private race-day tent with refreshments and private gear check
- Complimentary cheer-squad t-shirts for your friends and family
- Monthly social runs
- Your own easy online fundraising page
- Inspirational emails from Girls on the Run to keep you motivated
- Access to a block of hotel rooms at the Chicago Hilton Hotel on Chicago's Magnificent Mile
- Discounted American Airlines airfare to and from Chicago over marathon weekend
- Two fundraising levels are available: $750 and $1000 (which includes participation in the Fleet Feet Training Team)
When registering for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as a SoleMate, be sure to indicate you are running for the Girls on the Run St. Louis council.
If you registered for the marathon under open registration, it's not too late to run as a SoleMate! Run for the girls and help to support the GOTR St. Louis scholarship fund.
Find out more about the benefits of running the Chicago Marathon as a SoleMate.
Training Programs
Training programs are just starting for the Full and Half Marathon programs with our training partner FLEET FEET.
Join the FLEET FEET Training Team for Saturday group long runs led by experienced half and full marathoners who are there to coach you, provide pacing support, and get you to the start line healthy and prepared to cross that finish line! With a variety of pace groups ranging from 8:30/mile to 12:30/mile and two run/walk groups and walk-only groups (half marathon program only), there is a pace group for you!
Benefits include: Professionally-designed training schedule with daily workouts, coached long runs and pace-specific training, organized Saturday morning long runs, weekly training tips and support, and more!
Fall 2012 Marathon Training Program
Program Begins: June 23
Goal Race: Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis Marathon,
October 21, 2012
(Program may be used to prepare for the Chicago Marathon and other fall events in the same time frame)
Fall 2012 Half Marathon Training Program
Program Begins: July 28
Goal Race: Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis 1/2 Marathon,
October 21, 2012
(Program may be used to prepare for other fall events in the same time frame)
Register as a SoleMate and select the FLEET FEET Training Team option for your desired race length. We'll get your information to FLEET FEET and pay the training fee! Visit our website for more information on all the benefits SoleMates receive as part of the training team.
Visit our website for more information on Bonus Entries and fundraising goals. We're here to help you run the race you've always dreamed of!
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