I was out feeling a little sick yesterday, but I am so happy to be back! Not only is it a big day for 107.3 (Jaci and Carrie will both be out celebrating 420- Jaci’s at Vitrum Smoke Shop until 1:30 PM and Carrie will be at Twisted Headz in Mentor from 3 - 5 PM.) but later tonight I’ll be out representing the station as an emcee for Girls on the Run of Northeast Ohio’s annual Sneaker Soiree! 

For those who don’t know, Girls on the Run is an after-school program for young girls to inspire compassion, boost confidence, build relationships, and learn the importance of staying active. At the end of each season the girls can walk, skip, or run their way to completing a 5k. 

I joined when I was in the 4th grade. If you couldn’t already tell, I was a weird kid. But GOTR gave me a friend group, a place I felt accepted, and also helped me build my confidence by accomplishing a 5k race! 

They are committed to reaching as many girls as possible, serving over 17,000 since they started the Northeast Ohio chapter in 2007! No matter financial background, physical ability, or anything else that could get in the way, they make sure all girls can participate. 

When I was in high school, my former GOTR coach had reached out, saying they needed a Junior Coach to join that season. I later found out, a young girl by the name of Caroline, wanted to participate, but she was blind. So, in typical GOTR fashion, they made it happen. 

My role was to work with Caroline everyday. We’d together hold a pool ring, and I’d guide her through the different trails, letting her know when we had to turn or go uphill. She was the sweetest most determined kid I had ever met, and she was not gonna let her disability get in the way of what she wanted to do. At the end of the season, we successfully ran the 5k together, and I couldn’t be prouder. 

I love Girls on the Run and cannot wait for tonight’s Sneaker Soiree! If you have a young girl at home, or just want to support an amazing orginzation, check them out!