Girls on the Run
Dear Editor: On behalf of SAFV’s Girls on the Run, thank you all for supporting our girls empowerment program over the past 10 years. Girls on the Run supports girls growth in self-respect, teaches them the skills they need to choose and maintain healthy relationships, and ultimately empowers them to be leaders in their community. It is important work.
Ten years ago, SAFV brought this international program to Sitka, and it has absolutely taken off since then. Our first 5k was operated out of a race tent, with a team of 14 girls. Since then, our program has grown to serve 25-40 girls every season, culminating in a large community celebration 5k. This year, our 10th anniversary rock star-themed 5k was the best yet! We had over 200 people there, Girls on the Run alumni speakers, an outpouring of gifts for all of our girls, and fun had by all.
None of this would be possible without you, Sitka.
Over the years, this community has held this program (and all of the girls who participate in it) through generous donations of time, money, energy, and baked goods, especially for our 5k celebration.
This year was one for the books: Chocolate Moose donated rock candy, North Sister donated a fruit platter, Back Door Cafe gave cookies, Highliner Coffee supplied assorted goodies, the Science Center gave us biodegradable cutlery, Fish Eye Coffee donated coffee for parents and volunteers, Sea Mart gave us a gift card for food, Ben Franklin contributed a fancy red carpet, Janet Evans gave us her extra poster board, Randy Hughey designed and laser cut customized Hollywood stars for each girl, and the Centennial Hall graciously hosted all 200 of us!
Our event was even fully (and deliciously) catered by Chan Richards of Our Town Catering, with all ingredients generously supplied by AC Lakeside. We had over 15 5k community volunteers, including five youths from Raven’s Way. The 5k was planned with the support of a group of volunteers (the 5k Planning Committee) including Justine Webb, Kristina Tirman, Sydney Carter, Kat Richards and Sue Conrad.
Throughout the season, Sitka School District supplied space and behavioral and logistical support, 21st Century GLO provided snacks, two trained coaches, behavioral support, and bus transportation, Youth Advocate Services sent us one coach, Raven Radio aired our weekly PSAs, and Sitka Sentinel printed our lesson summaries.
What’s more, we had eight coaches give more than 10 hours a week mentoring girls throughout the 10 week program. Special thanks to all of our coaches: Tina Bachmeier, Caitlin Way, Abigail Bliss, Brittany Richardson, Sydney Carter, Kristina Tirman, Sue Conrad, Eleyna Rosenthal and Sue Conrad. You all rock!
We believe Girls on the Run is a crucial program for our girls and our community, and clearly so do you, Sitka. So thank you for being with us in this. We are so proud to do this work in such a generous and supportive community.
See you next year!
Alaire Hughey and the SAFV
Girls on the Run team
Blessings in a Backpack
Dear Editor: I would like to offer a sincere thank you to the Sitka Education Association for their generous donation to the Blessings in a Backpack program. This group of district employees has once more shown how much they care about the students in our schools.
The consequences of hunger are much more than a growling stomach. Poor nutrition and lack of regular meals can result in a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, shorter attention spans and lower academic achievement. Members of the Sitka Education Association recognize that a hungry student does not learn as well as a fed student.
For the past six years, Blessings in a Backpack has been providing food on the weekends to Sitka students who might otherwise go hungry. If you would like to make a donation to this program as well, please go to Blessingsinabackpack.org and select the level that you can afford. As little as $100 feeds one student on the weekends for the entire school year and $10 provides food for three students for one weekend during the school year. Be sure and note you want your donation to go to Sitka Schools. Thank you so much for supporting this vital program and thank you to all the members of the Sitka Education Association.
Kathy O’Gara, Sitka
