Girls on the Run is an international after-school mentorship program that helps young girls find the inner strength to deal with life’s hurdles, while also training for the physical demands of a 5k run.
This year the program will be offered at Langdale Elementary and Gibsons Elementary schools. Volunteer coaches are now being recruited for the program, which runs April through June. All coaches will be provided with First Aid/CPR and curriculum training. Over the 10 weeks of the course, coaches will mentor girls aged nine to 14 as they learn to handle peer pressure, bullying, cliques, popularity, eating issues and media perception, through physical games and discussions. Lessons are organized with incremental increases in endurance and duration, but because it’s non-competitive, girls can walk, run, skip or jump, and still be able to complete the 5k event. To volunteer, contact Michele March at 604-886-1353.
The program is offered in partnership with School District No. 46, at no cost to the participants. Program costs will be covered through community fundraising.
A fashion show fundraiser will be held at the Gibsons Public Market on Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m. The spring theme of New Possibilities addresses the season, the fashion excitement and the valuable experience this program brings to the young girls in our community. Tickets for this event are $20, available at Laedeli in Sunnycrest Mall, The Landing Clothing Company, Swish Ladies Wear, Zocalo Fashions and Peggy Sue’s.
Later that evening, the Alliance of Gibsons Businesses (AGB) will host Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, an 80s-themed fundraising dance in support of Girls on the Run at the Gibsons Public Market, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door, or $15 in advance from the Village Store (Gibsons Landing), Laedeli (Sunnycrest Mall) or Strait Music in Sechelt.
“We are so grateful to the Alliance of Gibsons Businesses for stepping up to help the girls by raising funds for this program,” March said. “We mentioned the need to a few of the AGB members and the next thing we know, they’ve got a dance planned and are rallying to the cause. This is truly how to build a positive community!”
