Girls on the Run St. Louis

Each year, FOCUS St. Louis applauds the efforts of the individuals, organizations and/or initiatives making a positive difference in the St. Louis region with the What's Right With the Region Awards. Honorees are working to improve the collective health and wellness of the St. Louis region's residents, as well as addressing the social determinants of health. Girls on the Run St. Louis is honored to be recognized alongside such incredible individuals and organizations so dedicated to the vibrant St. Louis community.

“By participating in the 5Ks, I’ve learned about GOTR’s mission and values, and have been impressed with its leaders and its successes. It’s an honor to be asked to help the organization meet its future goals.” We are honored to have Steven Wasserman elected to our Board of Directors, helping to guide our organization to grow and deepen positive outcomes in the St. Louis region! Thank you, BJC HealthCare, for highlighting his dedication to our mission. We think he's a pretty amazing Sparkler, too!

As any Girl on the Run will tell you, the journey forward starts with just one step! We are grateful that our phenomenal Board Chair, Gabriela S. Ramírez-Arellano, allowed us to be part of her Chicago Marathon journey and so much more. Interested in putting meaning to your miles? We would love for you to become a SoleMate! https://lnkd.in/g6EhCdvz

Thank you, University of Missouri-Saint Louis, for highlighting our incredible Board of Directors member, Sparkler, 14'er Climber and absolute advocate for every Girl on the Run, Maggie Rapplean, MBA, CFP®. Our Girls on the Run learn that they are full of possibility and strength and having role models in our community like Maggie who embody our core values is transformational. There is no mountain that Maggie Rapplean cannot summit; her focus and tenacity is unwavering! Her compassion for others is another power and we know that Maggie is wholly dedicated to ensuring every girl can feel that, too. This weekend she will summit the two tallest peaks in the lower 48, raising scholarship support for an entire team of Girls on the Run. Because Maggie Rapplean knows that if she climbs the mountains, our Girls on the Run will be able to move mountains! https://lnkd.in/gy4UukSd

Tremendous thanks to the amazing St. Louis staff from HH Global who helped prepare supply bins and curriculum for our upcoming fall season! Thank you for sharing your time and incredible energy - so much accomplished for our Girls on the Run! Does your company or organization want to make an impact on our community? Girls on the Run would love to have you get involved with our program! From in office to 5k, we have a volunteer opportunity for you! For more information, please email [email protected]

We're just TWO days away from the start of the 14er Challenge and this year we have four incredible Climbers that will summit the two highest peaks in the lower 48 to raise support for our Girls on the Run! Meet Amy Riddle! Amy and her son are Sparklers at our 5ks, ensuring every Girl on the Run feels supported, powerful and full of possibility. Amy has chosen to complete the 14er Challenge, raising scholarship funds for GIrls on the Run, because "I believe all kids should have access to a support system no matter their financial situation. I think we all form our inner voices as a child and being taught to have a positive, believe in yourself mentality will benefit you throughout your entire life." We couldn't agree more and are so excited to have you as a champion for our GOTR, Amy! If you'd like to make a donation to Amy's campaign, you can do so via Venmo @GOTRSTL with 'Amy Riddle' as the comment!

The past year of Girls on the Run St. Louis programming has yielded tremendous outcomes for our community and we could not be more grateful for the dedication of our coaches, partners and Girls on the Run families!    The Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 GOTR seasons were the largest since before the onset of the pandemic, serving 4,557 participants and 1,750 coaches from 250 different sites across our 23-county territory in MO and IL. Girls on the Run St. Louis was the largest of more than 160 councils in North America this program year! We also proportionally provided greater financial assistance to participants than any other council in North America. We are proud to be living our mission so fully in partnership with the incredible St. Louis community.    Read more about our year in review on our blog at: https://lnkd.in/ghrMPfhZ

Grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the passionate, energetic and mission-driven leaders of Girls on the Run St. Louis!

So honored to serve as Treasurer for this amazing organization that helps to develop strong, independent young women!

I am honored to step into the role of Board Chair for Girls on the Run St. Louis, an organization that has had a profound impact on our community. Girls on the Run is more than a program; it’s a transformative experience that empowers young girls to achieve their potential. Through our programs, we have positively influenced the lives of thousands of girls across the region, fostering confidence, connection, and healthy lifestyles for the last 23 years. Our recent accomplishments are a testament to the dedication of our team and volunteers. In the 2024-2025 year, we successfully expanded our reach, bringing our programs to new schools and communities, and further enriching the lives of participants. Our annual 5K events continue to inspire, with record-breaking participation that highlights the community’s support and enthusiasm. On a personal note, I am deeply grateful to Girls on the Run for introducing me to my first marathon. The skills and lessons I learned through running have been invaluable, especially in the most challenging times of my life. When I was training for the Chicago marathon, I faced heartbreaking loss but the resilience, strength, and sense of community I gained through Girls on the Run helped me navigate this profound grief. It reinforced the importance of perseverance, support, and the power of setting and achieving goals. As I take on this new role, I am committed to continuing our mission and expanding our impact. I look forward to working with our dedicated board, staff, volunteers, and community partners to empower even more girls in the St. Louis region. Together, we can inspire the next generation to be joyful, healthy, and confident. Thank you to everyone who has supported Girls on the Run St. Louis. Your contributions make a lasting difference. #GOTRSTL #GOTR #GirlsontherunStLouis #marathontraining #buildingresilience