Volunteers needed for Girls on the Run

Fritz Klug
News Editor

In late May, the streets surrounding the Vine Street neighborhood are closed and people line the sidewalks with folding chairs, noise makers and video cameras. As they wait, the anticipation builds to see their daughters, sisters, granddaughters, and friends run by.

It’s the annual Girls on the Run 5K.

The Greater Kalamazoo chapter of GOTR is looking for seven more volunteers to help train third, fourth and fifth grade girls this spring.

GOTR is a program that “combines the power of running with other lessons that build self-esteem,” said Beth Gregory-Wallis, program director of the Kalamazoo GOTR.

“We empower young girls to be healthy women.”

The program was founded in 1996 and has over 160 chapters across the US and Canada (Kalamazoo’s began in 2001). So far, there are 2,055 girls registered in 157 teams across 58 county locations.

Coaches will meet with their girls for an hour and a half twice a week, from March 15 through May 27. Part of the time will be spent running, while the remainder will focus on education, on subjects such as teamwork, nutrition, and how to stick up for themselves. The weeks of training culminates with a 5K run from Waldo Stadium.

One of the biggest misunderstandings is that coaches have to be runners – they don’t.

“They just need to be a positive role model,” Gregory-Wallis said.

In the past, Gregory-Wallis said that many WMU students have volunteered for the program, including health, education, and social work majors.

She said that there is also an opportunity for the position to count as an internship. Each team will have two coaches, so one person is not left alone with the girls.

More information about being a coach and the time commitment can be found at http://tr.im/QXYd. To become a coach, contact Gregory-Wallis by Thursday, March 11 at beth@girlsontherunkazoo.org or 269 491-6885.

Coaches are required to attend a training session on either March 12 or 13. They are also required to be CPR and First Aid certified by March 20 — which GOTR will provide training.
Positions needed:

➢ Comstock East, two positions, Tuesday/Thursday — 2:45 – 4:15 p.m.

➢ Ryan Intermediate (Gull Lake), one position, Monday/Wednesday — 3:45 – 5:15 p.m.

➢ Kalamazoo Christian (12th street), one position, Tuesday/Thursday — 3:00 – 4:45 p.m.

➢ Mattawan Early Elementary, one position, Monday/Thursday — 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

➢ Parkwood-Upjohn (Kalamazoo) – one position Monday/Wednesday, and one position Tuesday/Thursday – 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=15363

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Mar 7 2010. Filed under Campus, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
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