Build confidence in themselves. Lift a teammate up when they feel challenged. Celebrate each other’s differences. Positively impact the world around them. This is what participants do at Girls on the Run. It is not just an after-school program – it’s a place of belonging and empowerment that inspires participants, coaches, and communities. Here, girls learn they have the power to create meaningful, long-lasting change that leads to a better tomorrow for everyone.
How?
Throughout each season, teams develop life skills and confidence by engaging in fun, movement-based games, discussions on timely topics, and activities that foster connection. In this process, girls create a ‘GOTR Toolkit’ filled with all the skills they have developed and then learn how and when to use them. Toward the season’s end, participants have the chance to utilize these new skills by selecting, planning, and implementing a Community Impact Project.
The experience of giving back helps team members recognize how much they have learned and what they can achieve with practice and collaboration. It also emphasizes the importance of looking beyond themselves and their team and seeing how they can use the skills in their GOTR Toolkit for good at home, at school, across their communities, and beyond. In this blog, we are excited to spotlight seven recent Community Impact Projects that made a direct impact on local causes, organizations, or individuals close to GOTR teams’ hearts. (P.S. Love these warm, fuzzy feelings of inspiration? Be sure to return for part two: Community Impact Projects That Sparked Joy in Schools coming soon!)
GOTR to the (Animal) Rescue in Juneau, Alaska
This animal-adoring team from Girls on the Run Alaska hosted a bake sale to support the Juneau Animal Rescue and raised $137! Their donation will help the shelter’s Greatest Need Fund, which includes food, vet care, beds, or any other resource current animal residents need the most. The Rescue’s fur babies may not be able to verbally communicate ‘thank you’ but their wags and wiggles translated to expressions of gratitude!
Writing Loving Letters on Lunches in South Central Wisconsin
Channeling our program’s lessons on Empathy, Being an Includer, and Positive Self-talk, this team from GOTR South Central Wisconsin decorated paper lunch bags for a local community center to use when they hand out meals to clients. On the bags participants jotted down inspiring phrases, fun doodles, and one-of-a-kind designs. Learning the power of our words is an important part of Girls on the Run, and we are proud of how this team embraced this skill to brighten someone’s day!
Sending Star Power to a Sister GOTR Council in GOTR Treasure Coast
This team of mountain movers also from GOTR South Central Wisconsin kept their sister GOTR council from Treasure Coast in mind as they planned their Community Impact Project this year. Recognizing the devastation that the region faced because of Hurricane Helene, the team wrote and sent cards of encouragement to their fellow GOTR participants down south.
Once the cards reached GOTR Treasure Coast, coaches handed them out to their teams at the 5K Celebration to give them that extra cheerful boost of I Can! Power (having the confidence to do hard things)!
Creating Cards and Connection in the Heart of Kansas
Perfectly combining creativity with compassion, these GOTR Heart of Kansas team members invested their efforts into creating fun friendship bracelets and heart-felt hand-written cards for local children in foster care. Way to activate and share your Star Power (having the confidence to be yourself) with other kiddos, GOTR squad! That’s exactly what our lessons on Friendship, Being an Includer, and We All Shine! are all about.
Bringing Joy Into a Retirement Community in Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Like GOTR Heart of Kansas’ colorful and kind project, this team from GOTR Southeastern Suburban Pennsylvania sparked joy by writing cards and creating friendship bracelets for residents at a local retirement community. We know this thoughtfulness, light, and connection will go a long, long way for the residents. This project is a prime example of small acts making a big difference.
Remarkable Readers Show Love to Their Library in South Milwaukee
This well-rounded, book-loving team from GOTR Southeastern Wisconsin set their sights on supporting the South Milwaukee Public Library in multiple ways. Participants confidently and quite entertainingly performed virtual storytime readings to inspire more kids to take an interest in books and visit their favorite place. Folks can still enjoy these videos on the South Milwaukee Public Library’s YouTube page! (In fact, whether you are local to Southeastern Wisconsin or not, we encourage you to check them out and share them with your little ones!) The team also designed promotional signs for the Friends of the South Milwaukee Public Library’s book sale. A+ job inspiring more bold bookworms, team! 
Coming Together to Help Their Classmate Cade in Alaska
Another awesome Alaska Girls on the Run team went down the sweet treat route by hosting a bake sale to support fellow schoolmate’s Cure for Cade fundraiser. From the moment the girls began the sale, cookies, brownies, and more flew off the table, and in the end, they raised nearly $1,000! Just take a peek at their smiles and glowing energy, and you’ll see just how passionate they were about making a difference in Cade’s life!
Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Give back as a volunteer at GOTR! Click here to learn more.
