Girls on the Run participants completed a three month long season with a 5k fun run at Dimond Park Field House on Dec. 1. Girls on the Run envisions a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential to boldly pursue her dreams. We dream of a world where girls are strong, confidant and healthy, using a fun experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Girls on the Run of Southeast Alaska, affiliate of AWARE, Inc. offers life-changing afterschool programs for girls 8-13 years old throughout Southeast Alaska. We teach life skills through dynamic, conversation-based lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Throughout the season, participants learn to identify their values, work together as a team, and experience the importance of community service.
Four teams, 70 girls, 22 coaches, 65 running buddies, many parents, community supporters and volunteers came out to celebrate each participant. The day was filled with hair decorating, face painting, poster making, cheering, and running.
“I can’t believe I did it!” called out a GOTR participant as she crossed the finish line surrounded by cheering parents and supportive signs of positive reinforcement.
Thank you to the 5k Planning Committee: Carolyn Lenhart, Electra Gardinier, Catherine Boice and Katie Smith; in-kind donors: Safeway, Fred Meyer, Superbear, Costco, Breeze In, The Rookery Café, Heritage Coffee and Roswick-Giles’ Alaska Music One.
The 5K event marks the finish line, which is just the beginning of a lifetime of goal setting and self-discovery for GOTR participants and your generosity made this event meaningful and special.
Thanks to the Southeast Alaska Gymnastics Academy for providing an exciting gymnastics performance, Big Brothers Big Sisters for supporting the Happy Hair table, Juneau Youth Services Lighthouse girls for painting faces and providing positive role-modeling, and Glacier Pediatrics for hosting a tongue tattoo table; to Thunder Mountain Basketball Coaching Boys into Men team for encouraging and cheering the girls on on this special day. Thanks to AWARE’s Prevention Manager Ati Nasiah, and Girls on the Run Advocate Julie O’Neil, for overseeing the project and working so well with a tremendous team of volunteers.
This project is partially funded by the citizens of the City and Borough of Juneau through sales tax revenues. Thanks to additional funders: Alaska Ski for Women and Rainforest Pediatrics.
We are in awe and filled with gratitude to so many in our community for supporting and recognizing Girls on the Run and working with AWARE to promote a thriving healthy community. Together we are building a better future today.
Sincerely,
Saralyn Tabachnick, Executive Director, AWARE, Inc.
