Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts to Host Sneaker Soirée on Oct. 3

NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts (GOTR WMA) will host its second annual Sneaker Soirée on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield.

Dressed in their party attire and favorite sneakers, guests will enjoy an evening of food, fun, and inspiration. The event will feature a silent auction with items and experiences donated by local supporters, hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, a wine pull, and an opportunity to hear from Girls on the Run participants and coaches. All event proceeds will support program scholarships so more girls can experience the transformative impact of Girls on the Run.

Tickets cost $40 per person or $300 for a table of eight. More information and tickets are available at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org/sneaker-soiree. The silent auction will be available online to event attendees and the public starting on Sept. 28. All item donations are welcome and should be directed to GOTR WMA staff.

The nonprofit thanks presenting sponsor the Jamrog Group for its commitment and support, as well as other event sponsors Specialty Bolt & Screw, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., and Neill & Neill Insurance Agency.

“At the Jamrog Group, we recognize the incredible impact of Girls on the Run in empowering young girls to build self-confidence, foster healthy relationships, and stay active,” said Amy Jamrog and Jessica Holloway, partners at the Jamrog Group. “We are proud to support GOTR and contribute to a cause that positively shapes the lives of girls and young women throughout Western Massachusetts.”

The Sneaker Soiree kicks off GOTR WMA’s 10th anniversary. Over the last 10 years, the organization has grown from 90 girls on six teams in fall 2015 to more than 1,800 girls on 85 teams in 2023. GOTR WMA has served more than 10,000 girls in all four Western Mass. counties since its start.

Girls on the Run is a physical-activity-based, positive youth-development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3-8. This fall season will introduce a newly updated curriculum for coaches to guide and facilitate lessons for their teams. The eight-week season will feature 16 lessons curated to build life skills around timely and age-appropriate topics such as managing emotions, positive self-talk, navigating friendships, and more. The season culminates with teams completing a community-impact project and a celebratory 5K on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 10:30 a.m. at Westfield State University.

“I absolutely love when a parent or coach tells me about how the program has impacted their girl and influenced their family or school community to be more active or inclusive,” said Alison Berman, council director of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. “We’ve impacted a lot of people with this program since our start in 2015. The Sneaker Soirée, our primary fundraising event, will support our efforts to bring the Girls on the Run program to as many girls as possible and provide financial assistance to anyone who needs it.”