|
On September 27th Girls on the Run of Lancaster held a Kick-Off Event sponsored by Women's Expressions and Women and Babies' Hospital. It was a terrific afternoon with Molly Barker, founder and vision keeper of Girls on the Run International, as our esteemed guest sharing her stories and positive light. We had approximately 150 girls, parents, coaches, board members, hospital leaders, volunteers and community members join us for an hour of inspiration! Our mission: to prepare and educate girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living came to life that day. Thank you to our sponsors and volunteers for providing support so Molly's influence could be felt by all in attendance.
Below are our 25 girls who completed this first season. These 3-5th graders were on two different teams led by 2 head coaches and 4 assistant coaches. The girls are students at Landisville Primary Center and Landisville Intermediate Center. Every Monday and Wednesday we met right after school (Sept. 14th-Dec. 15th). The girls (and coaches) made huge strides physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually. The 12 week curriculum addressed all areas of a girl's lives and we coaches, found ourselves amazed after every practice! The authenticity, silliness, bravery, laughter, smiles, genuine fears, love, questions, thoughtful actions and responses, team support, bonding, that results from the GOTR curriculum is really making a difference in the lives of many.
Part of our curriculum includes a community service element. This season we chose to work with the Arthritis Foundation and to run the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis as our season ending 5K. The girls listened to Judy Smith of the Arthritis Foundation and a young woman who lives with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and they spent a cold morning in the Secret Sneaker warehouse stuffing the race bags for the Jingle Bell Run.
The Jingle Bell Run on December 13th was a chilly, rainy day, but the weather did not dampen the spirits of the girls, their running buddies, parents, volunteers and supporters. We are so very proud of each and every girl--they all completed the race and met their goals AND brought rays of sunshine to the entire community with their determination and positive attitudes.
My favorite element of the curriculum is how it opens up the girls to speak freely about real life issues and feel safe to do so. The self confidence that grew collectively as the girls progressed through the 12 weeks was evident, and it really was obvious as they accomplished their goal of running a 5k. Great efforts on everyone's behalf: girls, parents, running buddies, volunteers, coaches, sponsors, cross country teams, community members--THANK YOU! Girls on the run of Lancaster is making a difference!
Warmly,
Carrie Johnson
Executive Director |
  |
|
| Give the gift of confidence any season to a friend or family member:
Sponsor a Girl on the Run!
$150 allows a girl to activate her power, lift her chin higher, laugh louder and know that she has the strength to overcome life's challenges.
Check out our website to read more and to order a "certificate of giving" for a special friend or family member.
Click on our Sponsor Packet to learn how you or your company can be a supporter of GOTR of Lancaster.
A special thank you to Lancaster General Health for being our Founding Sponsor and to Trout, Ebersole & Groff CPA's and Byler, Goodley and Winkle attorneys for being Supporting Sponsors on this journey. So many individuals and families have donated funds to support our curriculum and scholarships--thank you! YOU ARE ALL MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
And to our National Sponsors:
out to our dedicated Board members whose
guidance, creativity and support are endless.
  Our Purpose: To prepare and educate
girls for a lifetime of healthy living and
self-respect, through the power of
running. |
| Looking ahead: Spring Registration for 15 teams (12 Girls on the Run and 3 Girls on Track) is from January 19th at 7:00 a.m. until January 26th at midnight. Registration can be done through a link on our website.
Where are these teams? Girls on the Run: 3-5th grades: Landisville, Centerville Elementary, Martin Luther King Elementary, Schaeffer Elementary, Reidenbaugh Elementary, Hambright Elementary, St. Leo the Great, Wharton Elementary, Lancaster Country Day School, Nitrauer Elementary
Girls on Track: 6-8th grades: Centerville Middle School and Manheim Central Middle School
How do you start a team? As a grassroots organization, we rely on volunteer coaches who approach us who are ready to start a team at a school, church, rec center or after school program. If you are or know someone who is interested in starting a team, please contact Jennifer West, Program Director at jwest@gotrlancaster.org.
We will train 45 brave, energetic and inspirational coaches on January 30th from 11-4 at Hempfield Rec Center. We will be using a new 10 week curriculum this season that Molly Barker, founder and vision keeper, recently created by enhancing the previous curriculum with even richer and deeper discussion.
Spring Season begins the week of February 23rd and will end with our very own New Balance Girls on the Run 5K to be held at Franklin and Marshall College on May 1st at 9:00 a.m.
|
|
Join us at our New Balance Girls on the Run 5k on May 1st! 9:00 at Franklin and Marshall College track. The course route will take us through the campus and Buchanan Park. Stay around after the race to celebrate with us at our festival!
Come and run with us, come and cheer, come to watch our girls hop, skip, jump and cartwheel across the finish line as they accomplish their goals. It will be a magical day for all in attendance!
For more information and to register for the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K please visit our website: www. gotrlancaster.org |
We have a "wish list" comprised of items that make up our COACHES' BOXES. Each team receives a large box full of items needed throughout the season to follow the curriculum and assist with the games and experiential learning.
We could use the following donations:
-40 pieces of white poster board
-400 large manila envelopes
-3 boxes of regular envelopes
-self-adhesive nametags
-2000 medium sized index cards
-50 orange cones
-15 whistles
-15 packets of pencils and markers
-16 journals
-15 pads of paper
-26 balls of yarn or string
-1300 beads or various size and color
-construction paper
-20 packs of balloons
-spiral notebooks
-6 long jump ropes
If you are interested in donating items listed above, please email us. | |
|
Contact us: Girls on the Run of Lancaster, PO Box 262 Landisville, Pa. 17538
Carrie Johnson, Executive Director
330-7893
Jennifer West, Program Director
629-6329
|
do you know others who would be interested in receiving these updates? let us know! email their addresses to cjohnson@gotrlancaster.org |
| |
 |
|
|
|
Girls on the Run of Lancaster
