A pair of new sneakers can do a lot to boost self-esteem.
Without that name-brand footwear, Saturday's RCMP Community Policing and Victim Services Girls' Run for Fun would not be nearly as much fun for two of the participants. But those two girls have been taken care of by a local sporting goods store that donated to the event and they plan to be there on the start line Saturday morning at 11 for the start of the race at Fort George Park.
The third annual race marks the end of a two-month, twice-per-week program for more than 50 girls aged 10 to 15 to build fitness, self-esteem and promote healthy lifestyles. In addition to physical exercise, the girls have had the chance to work with female role model volunteers from the RCMP and the community to discuss such topics as gang activities, bullying, nutrition, drug and alcohol awareness, social media safety and cell phone safety, and the benefits of staying active.
"We do personal visits to all the inner-city schools, which we target, and girls from the entire city are welcome, at no cost," said Parker. "We just want to keep it fun. It's about teaching them healthy lifestyle choices."
Parker said there's one girl in the group back for her third season who started out two years ago hating the program. Now she can't get enough of it.
"She didn't want to be there when she first started, it was some thing her parents or guardians insisted that she do," said Parker, who is organizing the program with Krista Levar, the RCMP's victim services co-ordinator. "Now this is her third season and she approached me one day and said she really loves coming here. It makes you feel good that maybe some of these girls are really listening to what we're saying. Maybe if we impact one or two of them so they continue on in life with healthy choices, then we've done our job."
The running route starts at the northeast corner of Fort George Park, continuing on the park perimeter road to Hudson's Bay Slough, then along Queensway and back to the park.
The event is sponsored by Stride and Glide (which provided the two pairs of running shoes), Up the Creek Garment Company (which is supplying the participant T-shirts), and Costco (which will provide lunch for the post-race picnic).
