Idaho Gives Day: Support Girls On The Run

It's Idaho Gives Day! On May 8th, nonprofits across the state get a chance to share what they're all about and how their work is making a difference in their communities. It's also a day for Idahoans to donate to the causes they're most passionate about.Last year, they raised over $1 million for over 600 causes. This year they hope to top that number!

This year I'm donating to Girls On The Run. Last fall, my friend Debbie asked me to be the season finale speaker for the group at Spalding Elementary and I jumped at the chance! It's a group that I'm super passionate about and just love what they do! It's a running-based, after school program for girls between 3rd and 5th grade. Their goal is to help the girls develop healthy bodies, minds and relationships. At the end of their 10 week program, they run a non-competitive 5K and move on with skills for making smart eating choices, saying no to drugs/alcohol and standing up to bullying. I loved getting a chance to talk to the girls at Spalding and the the year I got a chance to be a running buddy for Paige and Grace at the YMCA Halloween run!

I'm making my donation to this program because it's everything I wished I had access to before I could run track and field in the 7th grade. I was picked on by the kids in my neighborhood relentlessly until I found the group of girls I still consider sisters through track.

Running with a group of awesome girls gave me such a confidence boost and I'm glad there's a program like Girls on the Run that immerses girls in a culture of kindness before they navigate the gossipy world of middle school or junior high. I'm proud to put my Idaho Gives Day donation toward this program.

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