Why do I run?
One of my favorite authors/activists/humans is Glennon Doyle. Her writing in Love Warrior and Untamed has inspired me day to day, but one of my favorite messages she sends is “We can do hard things”. I’m choosing to push myself, my mind, and my body this Fall to run the Chicago Marathon because WE CAN DO HARD THINGS! Even things I thought were impossible.
For those who don’t know, I have a slight limp from an injury when I was a kid. Even with the strain on my body during each run, I remember that I can do hard things. I have never experienced a more rewarding, exhilarating feeling like running North on Lake Shore Trail and seeing our beloved skyline grow closer as I push myself further. It is that feeling of confidence, empowerment, and strength, both physical and mental, that I want all young girls to have instilled in them, so they can continue to run the world!
What is "Girls on the Run"?
Girls on the Run-Chicago (GOTRC) is a non-profit after-school program that uses the power of running to educate and prepare 3rd–8th grade girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. The program combines physical activity with life skills lessons to support girls’ physical and social-emotional health. As a middle school teacher, I find this organization to be so important in building confidence in young girls.
Why should you care?
- Girls' self-confidence begins to drop by age 9
- 50% of girls ages 10-13 experience bullying such as name-calling and exclusion
- Physical activity levels decline at age 10 and continue to decrease throughout adolescence
The difference your donation can make!
$35 - Provides water bottles for 46 girls
$50 - Provides a Girls on the Run at Home Kit to a girl without regular access to technology
$150 - Provides 75 girls with a journal to support their growth throughout the program
$240 - Empowers a girl for an entire 8-week program season
$500 - Provides program t-shirts for 126 girls
$1,000 - Provides celebratory finisher medals for 1,075 girls
Ways To Give:
- Click “Give Now”, you will incur a transaction fee
- Check: Written out to Girls on the Run-Chicago (mailing address: 1415 N Dayton St, Ste 112, Chicago, IL 60642). Please include a note with my, Jillian Nolke, and “SoleMate 2021.”
- Venmo: @JillMarathon2
- Cash Money directly to yours truly
-Company Match, will your company match your donation?
Learn how you can change the life of a girl in the Chicagoland area!
Visit gotrchicago.org or contact the GOTRC Program Team at programs@gotrchicago.org.
