When it comes to the younger generations, the media often focuses on negative issues like obesity, violence, and substance abuse. But one group of girls in the Rochester area are making a difference in a beautifully positive way.
Long Meadow Elementary has a team of 19 girls who participate in an organization called “Girls on the Run.” Girls on the Run is a nonprofit for 8-13 year old girls, in which girls learn valuable tools to develop self-esteem, confidence in uniqueness, and how to stand up for themselves. The season culminates with a 5k race the girls run in celebration of training and completing the season. Coach Shannon Willmert explains that the 5k is, “the most empowering component of the season for the girls, because some started out as non-runners, but then complete the race successfully.”
Not only did this group of girls do something good for themselves this season, they looked beyond into how they could help others as well. Each season, Girls on the Run is responsible for serving the community in some way. This year, they chose to participate in a peanut butter and jelly drive for Lighthouse of Oakland County, to help mothers and children in transitional housing. This drive aims to meet the need for keeping their cupboard stocked.
The Long Meadow team was proud to collect 82 jars of peanut butter and jelly during the month of April. In the future, this team of girls plans to continue to bring awareness to the needs right in our own community. It was a life changing experience for many of the girls, since most had no idea children so close to home did not have enough food to eat.
For more information please visit, www.GirlsOnTheRun.org.