Girls on the Run Vermont receives $5,000 grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures

Will Expand Girls’ Empowerment and Health Programming

Vermont Business Magazine Girls on the Run Vermont has received a $5,000 grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures designed to combat health disparities and advance fitness and friendships among adolescent girls.

The announcement comes as Girls on the Run councils across the country prepare for their spring 5Ks, end-of-season events that are trademarked for their powerful positivity and celebratory atmosphere.

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a leader in positive youth development, and its experience-based curriculum creatively integrates running to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident. The organization currently operates 171 local councils across the United States and Canada, serving nearly 200,000 girls annually.

The latest funding marks the third year of partnership between GOTR and Rite Aid Healthy Futures, the public charity affiliated with Rite Aid that seeks to advance equity and opportunity for children and youth. The grant supports the two organizations’ shared commitment to strengthening and empowering local communities.

Girls on the Run Vermont (GOTRVT) is currently serving over 1,800 superstar 3^rd-8^th grade participants statewide this spring season. The Vermont council hosts two culminating 5K events, one held at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex on Saturday, June 3^rd and one at Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park in Manchester, VT on Saturday, June 10^th. Both events are powered by the joyful spirit of approximately 150 local volunteers. Activate your Star Power as a volunteer and experience the joy of these 5K events… visit https://www.gotrvt.org/ to register today!

“On behalf of GOTRVT’s staff and board, we appreciate the generosity of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. Their support helps enable our council to provide funding to all Vermont girls who wish to participate. Accessibility and inclusion are paramount to our program…thanks to Rite Aid for championing Vermont youth so that they can be a part of a program that bolsters self-confidence and creates the space for lifelong lessons in positivity”, said GOTRVT’s Executive Director, Rachel Desautels.

The grants are funded through Rite Aid’s KidCents fundraising program. Generous Rite Aid customers can round up their purchases online or in-store to support children’s health and wellness. Healthy Futures reinvests the funds into Rite Aid communities through grants benefiting organizations such as Girls on the Run.

“We remain inspired by the commitment of Girls on the Run to create a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams,” said Matt DeCamara, executive director of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. “Our partnership will ensure that more girls have access to their innovative programming that addresses health disparities and racial inequities in communities, so girls can reach their full potential and futures.”

Source: May 8, 2023 – Girls on the Run Vermont GOTRVT https://www.gotrvt.org/