Spring 2012 Race Volunteers ~ “I am making an impact by . . .”

~ helping out in any way that I can and seeking new volunteer opportunites while living what these girls are learning.           

~ setting a positive example for the girls involved.

~ supporting the girls in their goal to run a 5k! I loved being part of the experience, and hope to be more involved going forward.

~ helping girls grow and being a tangible role model to help them reach their goals.

~ providing support and encouragement to a new generation of strong, dedicated women.           

~ getting involved in the community and showing young people that they can achieve goals.

~ providing an example to young girls in fitness and community involvement.

~ volunteering when information is publically posted.

~ dedicating my time and providing continued support and motivation to the participants enrolled in this organization.

~ cheering the girls on as they are running/walking/jogging, speaking encouraging words into their spirits before the run, embracing them with proud arms as they complete the run. I know my 2 girls that participated Lacey Franklin-Foreman & Tajah Franklin felt very accomplished after they finished. They even motivated me to do some walking myself. Maybe next Spring I can walk/run/jog with them.

~ showing up! :)           

~ considering becoming a buddy.           

~ showing my support and dedication to the mission of the organization.

~ Cheering on the girls and helping to raise their self-esteem.

~ supporting young ladies in achieving their goals, becoming productive young women, and by being a positive Rome model for them.

Fall 2011 5k Race Volunteers:

~ I had an amazing time! and will definitely participate again. I sincerely believe in this program and was happy to be a part of it =)

~ I had a great time with other super enthusiastic volunteers. The faces on the runners were unforgettable! Count on me next time to ring the cowbell and shake the pompoms with gusto!

~ It was my pleasure to continue to give back to the community as well as be a part of such an amazing event! I was truly inspired! See you next race!!

~ It was a joy and a pleasure to be a part of this great organization that believes in our girls – and willing to push them to finish what they began. Go Girls on the Run!!! you Rule because you are our next leaders.

~ I really had a great time on Sunday!!!! This is really a GREAT program and I’m glad I had the opportunity to participate :-)

~ Thank you! It was such a rewarding experience!! i look forward to the spring race!

~ Thank you for such a thoughtful card! I hope to continue to join you all in future races.

~ Thank you for the opportunity! It was a great time and I can now consider myself somewhat of a hair stylist. ;-) Looking forward to participating in the next event!

~ The young girls were amazing. I was a running buddy and was paired with an 11 year old, who really kept me moving. She was amazing and really motivated me!!! I think this is an amazing organization! Thanks so much for allowing me to be involved.

~I plan to run again –it was a blast! Thanks for such a fun race!!!

~I had a great time! Thank you GOTR for this wonderful experience :-)

~Thanks so much for organizing the 5k last Sunday. The young girls were amazing. I was a running buddy and was paired with an 11 year old, who really kept me moving. She was amazing and really motivated me!!! I think this is an amazing organization! Thanks so much for allowing me to be involved.

Fall 2011 Coaches and Site Liaisons:

I have been a GOTR coach for several seasons and the changes that I see occur in the girls lives never cease to amaze me!  During the fall 2011 season we had a nice turn out of interested girls that wanted to join the team.  One 3rd grader (Danielle) in particular pulled at my heart strings.  She was new to the school and very, very shy.  On 1st practice day, her mother expressed that she was shy and even had a slight nervous “twitch” when asked to read or speak out in class.    During the practices I noticed that she was very quiet and would wait to be called upon before speaking. 

One day she was chosen to stand in the center of the circle and lead us in stretches.  As she stood there with the entire team around her she began to stretch and count loudly for the entire group to hear and one of the girls noticed how flexible she was and made a comment about how cool it was that she could be so flexible.  I could tell that she loved the compliment and you could hear her voice grow louder with pride.  Slowly but surely this shy girl, began to come out of her shell with each practice.  She began to be the one that would cheer the loudest for her teammates when they grew tired from the runs or when they needed an extra “push”.  I remember one practice in particular as we ran our “Mock 5K” that after she completed her race she actually ran BACK about 400 yards to cheer for and run across the finish with her team mates!

On Race day as the coaches and the Running buddies were lining the girls up and assigning the “Who will run with Who” assignments Danielle quickly grabbed my hand and asked if I could run with her.  I told her I would.  She expressed that she was nervous but was so happy to be at the race and how happy she was that her Mother was cheering for her.  As we lined up for the race she was squeezing my hand so tightly that it hurt (smile).  As the race started she BOLTED ahead with such energy that I had to struggle to keep up.  All through the race she kept repeating things that she heard during practices like ” I wont give up”, “I am going to do my best” and my favorite “I am plugging in my positive Girls on The Run Cord”.  She finished the race in just 35 minutes and NEVER gave up, stopped or complained during her run.  I am so impressed with her and she was beaming with pride!!  Upon crossing the finish line she jumped up and screamed “I DID IT!!”, soon after she was presented with her medal and she was beaming!  Her mother ran over to her and they hugged. Both her mother and myself teared up.  Danielle was smiling as she watched other girls cross over the finish line and receive their medals. 

Danielle over the course of being on the team changed from shy newcomer into one of the loudest most outgoing cheerleaders on our team!  I believe that this program changed her and I am sure that the experience will be with her for a lifetime.  She is already looking forward to the Spring 2012 season!