Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley and Pocono wants to put new athletic shoes on the feet of girls in its program across Monroe County and the surrounding region.
The nonprofit launched a Giving Shoesday fundraiser timed to the Giving Tuesday season, according to a post on the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce website. The campaign runs through Wednesday, Dec. 2, with the goal of making sure participants have athletic shoes that fit properly.
Girls on the Run is a character development program for girls in third through eighth grade. It combines life-skills lessons with training for a 5K walk or run over a 10-week season, according to the organization's Volunteer Center of Lehigh Valley profile. The after-school program meets twice a week during fall and spring seasons, led by volunteer coaches.
The Lehigh Valley and Pocono chapter serves nine counties: Lehigh, Carbon, Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northampton and Wyoming, according to the organization's website. Nationally, Girls on the Run says it has reached more than 2.8 million participants in North America since 1996.
The organization did not specify a dollar goal for the Giving Shoesday campaign. Donations are tax-deductible. Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, according to its donation page.
Residents who want to contribute can visit gotrlehighpocono.org/donate or contact the organization at [email protected] or (484) 431-7564.
The chapter also needs volunteers for two upcoming 5K events. The first is Sunday, Nov. 22, at Keystone College. The second is Sunday, Dec. 6, at DeSales University. Volunteers help run the events and cheer on participants as they cross the finish line.
Upcoming Girls on the Run dates:
- Wednesday, Dec. 2 — Giving Shoesday fundraiser deadline
- Sunday, Nov. 22 — 5K at Keystone College (volunteers needed)
- Sunday, Dec. 6 — 5K at DeSales University (volunteers needed)
