Nonprofit Organization Girls on the Run International Reaches 1 Million Girls Served -- Launches One-in-a-Million Campaign to Celebrate the Milestone

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The nonprofit organization Girls on the Run International--a physical-activity based, positive youth development (PA-PYD) program that empowers girls in the 3^rd - 8^th grade--proudly announces that it will serve its one-millionth girl in 2015. To commemorate this milestone, Girls on the Run is launching its One-in-a-Million campaign to celebrate the impact the program has had on girls and women from coast to coast.

Through a curriculum that includes fun team activities and running games, Girls on the Run teaches girls life skills like trying your best, standing up for yourself and developing healthy friendships.  By the end of the 10-week program, both the emotional and physical health of each girl is enriched.

The Girls on the Run curriculum is taught by certified, volunteer coaches who encourage each girl to understand and celebrate herself, value healthy relationships and realize her power to impact the world. Each season culminates in a celebratory 5k that unleashes confidence through accomplishment, providing participants with a lifelong memory of setting and achieving a big goal.

"At its heart, Girls on the Run is about inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. With knowledge of the inner strength and resilience they possess, they can go on to build lives of substance and meaning," says Girls on the Run CEO Elizabeth Kunz. "Imagine the impact one million Girls on the Run alumnae will have--and are already having--on their communities and the world at large!"

Girls on the Run's One-in-a-Million campaign will celebrate the unique qualities that make someone "one-in-a-million." Throughout the campaign, Girls on the Run will showcase interviews with women who have made exceptional contributions to empowering girls and women --beginning with Kathrine Switzer, the iconic sports and social advocate whose participation as the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon made sports history. The campaign will also include a social media "Chain of Affirmation Challenge" where anyone can post a photo or story of someone they believe is one-in-a-million and challenge that person to do the same for someone else.

In addition, Girls on the Run's national partners--Athleta, LEGO, Cigna, Famous Footwear, Gamma Phi Beta and Secret --will each collaborate on special activities and events to take place throughout the year. Girls on the Run is also marking the occasion by committing to raise one million dollars this year to serve its next million girls by 2020.

Says Girls on the Run alumna Callie Jane Vickers--now a freshman in college, "I'm hoping to have a daughter of my own someday, and I want Girls on the Run there to help her learn to embrace herself and become the amazing person she wants to be."

Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident, using a fun experienced-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. www.girlsontherun.org

Video - http://youtu.be/9kYnfGkmtss

SOURCE Girls on the Run International

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http://www.girlsontherun.org