Each spring and fall, girls in Waunakee and other Dane County communities begin training for the Girls on the Run 5k.
The international Girls on the Run program is much more than just a foot race. Mary Salisbury, Director of Philanthropy for Girls on The Run of South Central Wisconsin, described its mission of empowering girls to the Waunakee Rotary Club at the Oct. 22 meeting.
The Waunakee Village Center has hosted the 5k for a number of years, and the Rotary Club has been a supporter all along.
Girls on the Run is open to girls in grades 3-5 and 6-8. The coaching and lessons they receive are aimed at helping them be joyful, healthy and confident in their running.
Between 500 and 600 volunteers help each year with teams. After some training, they work with the kids teaching lessons based on a specific curriculum. The girls meet twice weekly for 90 minutes for several weeks prior to the race, and in addition running, learn 16 lessons and complete a community service project. The lessons are geared toward competency, caring, confidence, connection, character and contribution, and help the girls find body positivity. They also help young girls learn to navigate their feelings while building friendships.
The season begins as Girls on the Run establishes partnerships with the school districts, then trains volunteers to coach the girls.
Girls on the Run also increases the participants’ physical activity and is aimed at reducing depression, helping kids to “move their bodies and have the mental wellness skills they need,” Salisbury said. The program can be thought of as an intervention, giving kids the tools they need to thrive, she added.
Salisbury thanked the club for its support over the years, noting that half of its $1 million budget comes from donations. Registration for the girls is based on a sliding scale depending on income, and about half pay nothing.
The 5k events also bring visitors to the host communities, who line up as spectators to cheer the girls on. .
Other news:
The polio raffle and fundraiser generated $1,000 for the polio eradication campaign, President Bill Kennedy announced.
Bill also presented a number of Paul Harris awards to Waunakee Rotarians who had contributed to the Village Park Arch project. Receiving awards were:
Carol Bleifield
Kylie West
Nancy Kuehn Thomas
Cyndi Kennedy
Jon Townley
David Kennedy
Ross Mauer
Ken Ballweg
Pat Durden
Several others also earned awards but were not present at the Oct. 22 meeting. Bill said their contributions demonstrate great support for the arch.
Bill also thanked Tracy Graber for hosting the terrific euchre party where about 20 people attended.
Tracy is circulating a sign-up sheet for greeters at Rotary Lights. She says it’s filling up fast.
Coming Up
Nov. 16: Rotary Arch ribbon cutting
Nov. 22-Jan. 1: Rotary Lights
Greeters: Oct. 29, Katie Ujdak and Carol Bleifield; Nov. 5, Nick Mischler and Tom Kennedy.
To sign up to greet or to find out when you are greeting, visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/
