There’s something that I have recently “re-discovered” as I’ve started creating and writing
for this blog and it is this: I really want to make a difference! I’ve always had a giving spirit
and a desire to do more for others.
My first real memory of “giving back” came when I helped my family serve Thanksgiving dinner to the less fortunate when I was just a little girl. It made a real impact on me. Later, in college, I was a part of a Sorority that participated in a soup kitchen where we created a “Kids Korner” to entertain the kids with fun activities like coloring, reading books and playing games. Shocking though this might sound to some, I even skipped out on all those drunken Spring Break trips and opted instead for putting in a little “sweat equity” by helping Habitat for Humanity build houses for the needy.
Two years ago my husband and I decided to do something nice for a women’s shelter, so right around Christmas we went on a shopping spree at JCPenney and bought all the residents new pajamas, handbags, wallets, winter clothing and even some toys for their children. It was one of my favorite shopping days EVER! Looking back on these moments makes me feel very proud and very happy.
Giving back is one piece of the pie that has been missing for me. When I consider the core of who I am, or perhaps who I want to be, I know I would love to be Inspiring and Successful. (Though I’m not always sure at what!)
But I’m absolutely sure of my reasoning. I want to be a role model that my daughter can look up to and a woman that young girls can trust to answer their questions and gain knowledge from. I really want to help inspire girls and young women to be strong, independent and successful themselves.
Which leads to my personal “AH-HA!” moment… if I want to be successful, and help young girls/women to be successful… why not become successful at doing exactly THAT!
With that in mind I started looking for an organization to join and become a part of that does just that. Empower Young Women, and there are many great choices around the country. The problem I ran into is that I couldn’t find anything in my area. Then I happened upon Girls On The Run International! Their goal is to educate and prepare girls for a life time of self-respect and healthy living. Perfect! I immediatly sent an e-mail and as luck would have it their fall season was just starting the following week.
Girls on the Run® is a life-changing, experiential learning programs for girls age eight to thirteen years old. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.
Watch this video and you’ll hopefully be inspired to join a Girls On the Run near you!
Girls On the Run International – Click here to find one near you.
Comments
Girls on the Run is a great cause! I read about it a few years ago in my “Runners World” magazine. I was really impressed.
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What a wonderful organization! I’ve already found one in my area! Thanks for sharing.
Good for you. I am all over the volunteer thing. In fact, I had a Whrrl story on my blog just last week about my visit to two different food banks. I think that is one of the best things we can ever share with our children is a love of service and helping others, so usually I bring my boys with me and now that my son is older, he is starting to do volunteer activities on his own. Three times now he’s gone off for a week at a time at his own expense to help on church mission trips and that kind of thing makes me so proud of him!