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Race & Fundraise
We've all supported our friends in the MS150, LiveStrong Challenge, or other charity events, so why not help Girls on the Run in a similar way? The charity arm of Girls on the Run operates year-round and enables you to race when & where you want to, while benefiting local girls in our program.
It costs $26 to join, and you'll receive a technical shirt and your own website for fundraising. Participants must raise $262. If you raise additional funds you'll receive extra merchandise. Then just register for your races & fundraise as you go! And of course, men can participate, too!
About Girls on the Run
GOTR is an after-school program that uses the power of running to help prepare pre-teen girls for a lifetime of self-respect, positive choices and healthy living. Over 12 weeks, girls are guided by trained volunteer coaches, and learn about the power of positive self-image. At the end of the semester, in celebration of their accomplishments, girls along with their families, coaches and volunteers participate in a local 5K race. On May 3rd, we'll be at the Bun Run.
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Our registrations for the school semester are finalized & the girls are beginning to rack up the miles! The past few weeks have provided me with several opportunities to assistant coach at our schools, and I really enjoy being around the girls. I find a higher level of personal motivation for running and a dedication to the success of this program that I can't seem to find through any other means. So it is with a renewed sense of enthusiasm that I send you this newsletter.
In this issue, you'll find a note from our director and highlights from our coaches, so read on. We've also got some exciting ways to participate in Girls on the Run of Austin:
Bettysport Shopping Day - Reminder: Thurs. March 26th at all Bettysport & Rogue Running locations in Austin. Consider gearing up for your summer & donate at the same time. Please forward this info to everyone you know!
Zooma Half Marathon - Reminder: Sat. April 4th water stop. Water stop volunteering is a fun way to pay it forward & raise money for GOTR. Email jodi@gotraustin.org to sign up.
April Happy Hour - We've got one in the works. Stay tuned for more details.
Bun Run - Our girls, coaches & volunteers will be participating in the Bun Run on May 3rd. Come out & join us, or race the Skeese Women's Tri on the same day to benefit Girls on the Run.
Thanks to everyone for your continued interest & financial support.
Sincerely,
Shorey Russell
Girls on the Run of Austin |
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 As the Head Coach at Allison Elementary, I am seeing first hand how much the girls are benefiting from the program. From dealing with gossip and peer pressure, to learning how to express themselves through running & journaling about it, the girls are really experiencing something special.
The primary reason I wanted to bring Girls on the Run to my community is that I am certain I would have benefited from participating in this program as a child. When I was in my mid-20s, during an abundance of personal growth, I was asked in a work assignment to visualize my dreams and write about where I wanted to see myself in five years. The scenario I wrote about included meeting with a group of adolescent girls after school to help them build and foster positive self-esteem, help them explore and define their personal values, and help them set and achieve goals. Then, to celebrate the achievements of all the girls, we would all complete a local race together. I hadn't even heard about Girls on the Run at the time, so imagine my thrill when I did! I immediately contacted the International offices to start the process of bringing a council to my community, which at the time was San Antonio. When I moved to Austin a short time later, I connected with a group of women who were also pursuing a Girls on the Run council.
The challenge for many girls in our community, however, is being able to participate at all. Since we are so much more than a running program, we have expenses that competitor programs do not. This means a large number of girls may never benefit from what we're offering. We want to contribute to a new generation of strong, healthy, and confident young women. We know Girls on the Run can help. We are now accepting scholarships for the Fall, which provides coach training, a facility (indoor & outdoor), supplies, t-shirt, and race registration for each girl. Scholarships start at $100. If you donated last year, please consider making a tax-deductible donation for 2009. If you want to sponsor a specific girl, please let us know. Click HERE to make an online donation. Mail donations to: Girls on the Run of Austin
PO Box 200594
Austin, TX 78720-0594
Many thanks,
Carrie Peasinger |
 The girls at Becker ran TWO miles during a lesson last week, and it was their idea! When you think about what that signifies for a 3-5th grade girl, it's really empowering. The lesson was about emotional health, and after running (I ran, too!) we talked about the emotions we felt. The girls said: joyful, happy, confident, and excited. I mostly felt proud. Two days later at the next lesson, participant Christianna said, "GOTR makes me want to run everyday!" This is exactly what we're hoping for at Girls on the Run. Thanks for the opportunity to coach at Becker! -- Shorey 
At the end of each lesson, coaches select a girl or girls who have exhibited the true spirit of making positive choices and honored the mission of Girls on the Run. The selected girl/girls receive an "Energy Award" where all girls chant & cheer. Every now & then, one girl takes it a step further, and this month we'd like to spotlight Bridge Point participant Cate who, on her own, came up with "From A to Z Energy Awards" which is a list of 26 ideas for energy awards using the alphabet. Thanks, Cate! -- Deanna
All the GOTR coaches wish our girls and their families a fun & safe Spring Break! |
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Girls like camaraderie & fun in sport & rely on adults involved to create positive experiences. Girls also perceive themselves as less competent in sports activities than do boys. Hard evidence continues to show that popularity for boys is often linked to their physical abilities, while girls' popularity is tied to appearance, material possessions and boyfriends - even at an early age. (The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport - University of Minnesota, 2007)
Giving girls an outlet to have positive experiences through running improves self-perception related to physical activities, sports, and makes popularity less important. Girls on the Run offers this outlet. |
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