It was quite the afternoon for two teams of Girls on the Run Berks Tuesday at 10th and Green Elementary. 30 students received new running shoes thanks to a generous donation by ASICS.
Over 200 pairs of running shoes have been donated by ASICS and will be delivered to students throughout the next week.
“We are so thrilled to receive this generous donation from ASICS,” said Jennifer Strock, Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Berks County.
“This is a tremendous contribution to our efforts in the local community. We currently have over 400 girls from 25 schools participating in our Spring 2017 season, and we are working with our coaching team to help us distribute the ASICS running shoes to the girls who need them most.”
Not only does Girls on the Run promote physical activity but also helps develop life skills, all leading to complete a celebratory 5K event.
For Girls on the Run, receiving the donation from ASICS is only half of their goal. In an effort to raise essential funds to support scholarships for the Girls on the Run programs throughout the County, the nonprofit organization is also conducting a used shoe drive now through May 20, 2017.
Anyone can help raise money for Girls on the Run by donating gently worn, used or new shoes at the Girls on the Run collection bin located in the lobby of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.
Girls on the Run of Berks County will earn funds based on the total weight of the shoes collected, which will be purchased by Funds2Orgs. Donated shoes will be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise partners in developing nations.
Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other nations in Central America and Africa. Proceeds from the shoe sales are used to feed, clothe and house their families.
“As a running based youth program, we’re excited to be making a difference this spring though shoes,” said Strock.
“The ASICS donation has assured that all of our program participants have the proper shoes to train for our spring season, and our used shoe drive will help us raise money for more girls to participate in the years to come.”
