GOTR Gives Back

This past week my GOTR group completed their community project. The group chose the same activity that they chose in Fall 2009 and made cards for the military and for sick children. In the Fall of 2009 the girls made cards for the military through the Holiday Mail for Heroes program and for kids through the Make a Child Smile program (For more details check out my post on "GOTR Community Project"). In the Spring of 2010 the girls put on a bake sale with the proceeds benefiting the Helan Woodward Animal Shelter. (For more details check out my post on "Another Season Ends"). This year (Fall 2010) we sent mail through the Holiday Mail for Heroes program again, but for the children's cards we made cards for a more local group, the Los Angeles Children's Hospital.

The GOTR curriculum focuses on three areas: All About Me, All About My Team, and All About Community. Over the past several weeks we have been teaching the girls about community and what it means, what it means to them, and what part they play in different communities. Its really heartwarming to see the girls enjoying an activity that gives back to others.

After we completed the cards I went around the circle and asked the girls to state one way that they would personally work to make the world a better place. Their answers ranged from recycling and picking up trash, to continuing to volunteer and to tell others about God.  It made me smile to hear that they all enjoyed taking part in an activity that gives back to others.

The community project marks the final stretch of the GOTR curriculum. Next weekend we will be running our 5K! The 12 weeks that make up the program have gone by so quickly, and I'm really looking forward to the special day when all of the GOTR San Diego sites get together and run their race. Twelve weeks of preparation and personal growth, and they're ready! I didn't run my first 5K until I was in my early 20's and I'm proud and amazed by these little girls who will do so before they even enter middle school. Girls on the Run is amazing program, and I'm so proud to be part of something that can change a girl's life forever.