The mission of Girls on the Run is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. Our organization offers programs designed to inspire girls of all abilities to recognize and embrace their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others. With this being said, our organization ensures no girls are ever turned away from our program due to financial hardships!
Unstoppable Us is a girl-led fundraising program that provides financial assistance so more girls can join our teams and experience the life-changing impact of Girls on the Run. Participation is optional and allows participants to share what they have learned in our program and increase awareness about our program. Participants are among our most enthusiastic advocates since they experience the benefits of our program firsthand: new friendships, increased confidence, and an understanding of their influence on the community and world around them.
This Spring season is our first time implementing the Unstoppable Us fundraising campaign. Hear what a few of our Girls on the Run coaches have to say about this fundraiser so far.
Auna Ingram, Site Liaison, Freedom Prep Brownlee/Whitehaven: “Unstoppable Us” is more than a theme; it’s a powerful reminder that our girls are capable of anything. It’s about showing up, speaking out, and believing in their strength, even when the world doesn’t always see it. This message matters even more when access is an issue. Many families rely on financial assistance to make participation possible. Because of Unstoppable Us, we’ve been able to say yes to every girl who wants to run, removing cost as a barrier, and opening doors to joy, confidence, and community.
Karen Ullman, Head Coach, St. Mary’s: “As a SMS GOTR team, we have talked about other teams and that some of the girls participate in GOTR Memphis through a scholarship. The money our St. Mary's GOTR gals collect will go directly to this scholarship fund. One of the reasons that the final 5K is so terrific is because ALL the GOTR teams come together to run! This is the community part that is important to GOTR International and to GOTR Memphis. We can't wait for you all to feel this sense of accomplishment, pride, and community too. We are having a wonderful season thanks to the remarkable individuals that comprise our SMS GOTR team. Go TURKEYS!”
Arcinko Smith, Head Coach, LaGrange-Moscow: ‘"Unstoppable Us’ isn’t just a theme—it’s our reality. Because of financial assistance, every girl had the chance to show up, shine, and discover her strength. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when support meets potential—magic. Watching our girls grow stronger each week has been incredible—but knowing that financial assistance made that growth possible? That’s powerful. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this great work."
Caitlin Beal, Co-Head Coach, Sharpe Elementary: “Financial assistance being available is so important for our girls because it allows all girls to participate and learn the valuable lessons we teach. No girl should be denied the opportunity to grow and learn how to become future leaders in their community due to an inability to pay.”
The common theme throughout all the individual responses was the power that financial assistance allows for the girls. Because of this fundraiser every girl has the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Those who donate understand the significance of the work being done at Girls on the Run Memphis to continue to give every girl her room to shine. Together, we are creating a brighter future for the young girls in our community.
Unstoppable Us is all about the girls and ensuring they have the best experience in our programs. Girls who raise over a certain amount of money throughout the Unstoppable Us fundraiser receive a prize, and this year’s prize will be their very own GOTR cape to wear on the day of the 5K. Our girls will be able to showcase their running and walking skills with their new super cute and colorful GOTR cape! How cute!!
With your gift, you are helping a girl unleash her limitless potential. You are giving her a place where she feels accepted and understood, a place where she can connect with her peers, gain confidence and discover her true power and potential. Thank you to all who have been a part of the Unstoppable Us Fundraising event and for giving back to our community and most importantly our girls. Auna Ingram says it best, “When we invest in all girls, especially those who have been left out or overlooked, we build something truly unstoppable together.”
If you have a GOTR girl in your life you want to support or want to make a donation in honor of another, go to our website: https://www.gotrmemphis.org/donate.