What’s one of the best things to help shape a young girl’s confidence?

 Being physically active, recognizing their inner strength and unlocking power and potential. Using an intentional curriculum that integrates physical activity, the trained coaches who volunteer with Girls on the Run teach girls critical life skills and strategies they can use in all aspects of their lives. 

That’s why, from Feb. 24 to March 2, Girls on the Run Northwest Indiana will benefit from Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. Customers across the Region can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store with those extra funds donated to GOTR NWI.

GOTR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on programs that transform the lives of third to eighth grade girls through physical activity.

Based on a 2019 independent study conducted by Positive Youth Development expert Maureen R. Weiss, Ph.D., 85% of the girls who participated in GOTR improved in confidence, competence, caring, character or connection. In addition, those who were least active at the start of the season increased in physical activity by more than 40%, and 97% of participants learned critical life skills including helping others, decision making, managing emotion and resolving conflict.

In a May 2023 report titled “Physical Activity: An Untapped Resource to Address Our Nation’s Mental Health Crisis Among Children and Adolescents,” the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy underscored the strong link between physical activity and mental health and praised GOTR for its programs.

According to Executive Director Jill Schlueter-Kim, GOTR NWI council has served more than 22,000 girls in 18 years in 21 Indiana counties. This season, the organization will serve about 1,600 girls at more than 100 schools in its service area and work with every school district in Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties.

“Our spring and fall seasons both conclude with celebratory 5Ks, which bring our communities together for a joyful event to celebrate our participants’ accomplishments,” notes Schlueter-Kim. “Our spring events are at Highland High School and Valparaiso High School on Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18 (respectively),  and a 5K at Indiana State University in Terre Haute on Sunday, May 4. Combined, these events will host over 3,000 participants, over 200 volunteers, and nearly 3,000 spectators cheering on their GOTR Girls.”

Schlueter-Kim says funds raised during the Strack & Van Til Round Up “will go toward eliminating barriers by providing financial assistance, funding shoes for participants in need and purchasing healthy snacks for our teams.”

“Strack & Van Til’s Round Up program is a real testament to their commitment to making Northwest Indiana a great place to live. We are so grateful to Strack & Van Til, the in-store staff and to all the customers whose generosity at the checkout tells us that our mission is valued and supported,” Schlueter-Kim says. “We are so thankful to be one of the many incredible nonprofits in the Region to be supported by Strack & Van Til this year.”

Strack & Van Til continues its more than 95-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds through the Checkout Challenge Round Up program to help organizations in the communities it serves throughout Northwest Indiana.

Strack & Van Til President Jeff Strack credits customer generosity and employee commitment for the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Ups.

“We are incredibly grateful to our customers. They are the ones who give back to the community. Our stores, with the help of our employees, simply provide our customers with an outlet to give to some of their favorite local organizations,” he explains.

Learn how you can help change a life and empower more girls in our community to be joyful, healthy and confident. To volunteer as a coach, event volunteer or mentor or to donate, partner or participate, visit gotrofnwi.org, and remember to round up your purchase during Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up and support Girls on the Run.