The annual Girls on the Run Puget Sound (GOTRPS) Auction fundraiser “The No Sweat Event” is set for 6 p.m. this Thursday, April 4 at Shilshole Bay Beach Club (6413 Seaview Ave NW). GOTRPS is a youth development program that creatively uses running through an experience-based curriculum to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident.
During the program teams of up to 15 3rd, 4th and 5th grade girls meet twice a week with a trained coach and learn life skills through conversation-based lessons and running games. The program centers around a 20 lesson structure with the overall aim of the group taking part in a 5 kilometer running event at the end of the season. “Completing a 5k gives the girls a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The result—making the seemingly impossible, possible and teaching girls that they can,” writes GOTRPS on their website.
The program has networks to over 200 locations in the United States and Canada, including nearly 30 schools in King County and some in our own neighborhood at Loyal Heights and North Beach. This annual fundraiser allowed the organization to expand their reach to 15 more schools in our region in the past year. “It has also allowed us to continue our tradition of serving girls from families of all income levels, with over 70% of participants receiving full or partial scholarships,” writes GOTRPS.
The No Sweat Event will feature a silent and live auction with a vast array of items including a football signed by Seattle Seahawks players, a Disneyland package for four, a San Francisco Getaway for two and a Seattle Mariners Suite Night for 20.
Volunteers are still needed for the event. If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering contact Debbie Kleid at GOTRvolunteers@gmail.com or to sign up click here.
GOTRPS are also always on the lookout for new coaches to inspire and teach young women through their innovative program. To find out more about becoming a coach contact becky@girlsrun.org
Tickets for Thursday’s fundraiser range from $40-$75 and can be booked by clicking here.
