We are a group of women runners and friends seeking to enrich the lives of women in transition through running and being active! Mission To assist women in transition by helping them overcome economic barriers and become empowered through the experience of running and physical activity. Here is our year in review

1. WOMAN’S LIFE CHAPTER 899
SOLE SISTERS

2. FOUNDING MEMBERS – JULY 2013
Cindy Cook
Heather Jablonski
Amy Kam
Suzanne Katerberg
Suzanna LaCroix
Pam Lauroff
Kelly Machiorlatti
Donna Messina
Melissa Mitchell
Amy Rempalski

3. NEW MEMBERS
Ellynne Engelsma
Kara Kontos
Tina Lang
Liz Margosian
Mary Pearson
Kari Stuart
Courtney Warsen

4. MISSION STATEMENT:
 Removing barriers and empowering women through running.

5. 1ST FUNDRAISER – BACKYARD
MOVIE NIGHT
• September 28, 2013
• Location: Melissa’s backyard
• $10/person or $20/family
• 68 Guests attended
• Raised $960
• Donated money to
YWCA for fitness
equipment for
Sojourner’s house
fitness room

6. 2ND FUNDRAISER – STRIDER’S
SLEIGHBELL SHUFFLE
• December 18, 2013
• Brought food items to donate to Kids’ Food Basket
• Provided cookies & hot chocolate for donations
• Helped marshal the course to keep runners on track
• Donated $100 to Kids’ Food Basket

7. SERVICE PROJECT: LOTION MAKING
 February 10, 2014
 We handmade lotion at Melissa’s house
 Donated 48 bottles of lotion to Safe Haven Ministries

8. SERVICE PROJECT: CLOTHING & SHOE
DRIVE
 April 2014
 Collected running clothes during Gazelle Girl Half Marathon &
from RunGR
 Received shoes from New Balance & clothes drive
 Donated 352 pieces of running clothes to YWCA & Safe Haven
Ministries – estimated value = $1,056
 Donated 70 pairs of running shoes to GRPS – estimated value =
$2,000

9. 3RD FUNDRAISER – CINCO DE MAYO
• May 5, 2014
• Pedicure/Manicure party at A-T Nails
• Provided Mexican themed food & drinks
• Raised $707 for Team Jenny for Safe Haven
Ministries

10. SERVICE PROJECT: AMY’S YARD CLEAN UP
 May 12, 2014
 Members & their families helped clean up Amy’s yard

11. 4TH FUNDRAISER – YARD SALE
• June 21, 2014
• Hosted by Amy Kam
• Raised $724.70 to support Lutheran Social Services
and sponsor 4 runners with race entry, shoes &
clothing

12. SERVICE PROJECT: NEW BELGIUM CLIPS BEER &
FILM TOUR VOLUNTEERS
 June 21, 2014
 Members donated their time to work this event that raised over
$14,000 for the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition

13. FUTURE FUNDRAISING IDEAS
• Cascade Winery Fundraiser
• SUP Class
• Beer Tasting/Dinner Pairing
• Healthy Cooking Class
• Chili Cook Off
• Zumba Class
• Spin Class at Symmetry
• Movie Night – do annually
• Strider’s Sleighbell Shuffle – do annually

14. FUTURE SERVICE PROJECT IDEAS
• Volunteer at local races (ie. Michigan Titanium aid
station – money opportunity)
• Other ideas????

15. BIG PICTURE FUTURE
Continue with:
• GRPS – shoe/clothing drives
Suggested 3 organizations to work with over the next
year:
• Lutheran Social Services – full program
(mentoring/financial support)
• Open Door via Degage Ministries – full vs. partial
program (offer training guides, clinics, financial
assistance – unsure about mentoring outside due to
hours)
• YWCA – continue encouraging an active lifestyle as a
way to heal, studies being done via Arbor Circle on the
connection between physical activity and healing
powers

16. “AMY”