1. brought to you by Voice of San Diego’s
Become a Changemaker at ‘Finish Chelsea’s Run’
Running is a great way for kids with a lot of energy to get
outside and get the jitters out. Sophia DeMille, a nine-year-
old Girl Scout, is one of those kids. Sophia ran alongside 70
of her Girl Scout friends and family members this year at
Finish Chelsea’s Run in honor of Chelsea King. Sophia plans
to participate again next year and said her troop’s goal is to
get 100 people to participate with their team in 2016.
“Running alongside my fellow Girl Scouts made me feel
more comfortable than finishing the race with family alone,”
Sophia said. “Friends make it more fun because friends are
just like family. We’re basically just finishing her run.”
Finish Chelsea’s Run is a perfect example of turning a tragic
situation into an opportunity for community building and
change making. Following the 2010 disappearance of Poway
teenager Chelsea King, Chelsea’s Light Foundation has grown
to be a positive resource for protecting the innocence of
childhood and inspiring children to have their voices heard.
The race grew from a grassroots effort by San Diego runners
into a major annual event in San Diego. Next year’s race will
be held on March 5, 2016.
Empowering Kids to Be Leaders
The Chelsea’s Light Foundation has partnered with Girl
Scouts San Diego to join forces in empowering young people
to become leaders in their community.
Cristina De Almeida Amaral is one of those Girl Scouts who
embodies Chelsea’s spirit. The seventeen-year-old senior
at High Tech High Chula Vista has been with the same
Girl Scout troop since kindergarten. Last year Cristina got
involved with Finish Chelsea’s Run after hearing Chelsea’s
story and being inspired by the way she lived her life.
“She wasn’t afraid to break boundaries and do whatever
her heart called her to do,” Cristina said. “She seemed so
vivacious and friendly and a ball of light. She didn’t take op-
portunities for granted and ran with everything.”
Cristina said she especially identifies with Chelsea because
of the love and passion she had for Girl Scouts. Cristina
said she plans to sign up as a student ambassador to
gather a team of people to participate in next year’s
Finish Chelsea’s Run.
Kristie Grover, Executive Director for Chelsea’s Light
Foundation, said it’s kids like Cristina and Sophia that move
the nonprofit to keep supporting students throughout San
Diego County. That’s why the foundation is growing their
student ambassador program into The Changemaker League,
a leadership program for K-12 kids that teaches the skills
needed to change the world based on their passion. This
innovative curriculum will help inspire students to be com-
munity focused trailblazers with the ability to solve social
issues with creativity.
Proceeds from the run power the foundation’s Sunflower
Scholarship Fund which offers scholarships to young
Changemakers throughout the county. To date, the fund
has awarded more than $336,000 to San Diego teens who
exemplify the values Chelsea held close. She was extreme-
ly diligent, involved in a variety of school activities, had a
passion for volunteering in her community, believed in the
power of change and dreamed of making the world a better
place. Kristie said giving kids the tools they need to make
a difference in their community is the way they have kept
Chelsea’s legacy alive.
It’s not too early to register for Finish Chelsea’s Run on
March 5, 2016. To sign up for the run that brings San
Diegans together and help Chelsea’s Light Foundation
reach their goal of 10,000 participants, click here:
https://www.imathlete.com/events/EventReg/
EventReg_SelectType.aspx?fEID=25870&fNew=1
Finish Chelsea’s Run is a perfect example of
turning a tragic situation into an opportunity for
community building and change making.{
{ }
}
Chelsea’s Light partners with Girl Scouts San Diego for Finish

2. Become a Changemaker at ‘Finish Chelsea’s Run’
Bringing the Community Together
Finish Chelsea’s Run is a family-oriented event, with 58 per-
cent of attendees participating with their families.
Kristie said the trickle-down effects of the race and the
foundation’s work with children has brought the community
together.
“If you’re going to make a difference, the collaborative voice
of many is much stronger than a singular voice,” Kristie said.
“When this happened six years ago, San Diego stood up and
said ‘let’s not allow this to happen in our backyard again.’
Finish Chelsea’s Run is a way to honor Chelsea King and our
ability to collectively make a difference. Those who come
out each year to participate feel the positive energy that radi-
ates from over 8,000 Changemakers celebrating light over
darkness. At this event, you truly witness the power of an
engaged community.”
From passing Chelsea’s Law to inspiring followers on their
Facebook page, Chelsea’s Light Foundation has positively im-
pacted California. Finish Chelsea’s Run even supports other
nonprofits and programs in San Diego.
At next year’s race, the foundation is partnering with We
Care Bears to ask race participants to donate stuffed animals
to first responders and care givers so they may hand out to
injured children who are in unbearable situations. In honor
of Chelsea’s commitment to healthy eating, the event will
also highlight many regional farmers and sustainable eating.
Kristie said it’s all a testament to Chelsea King and what she
stood for.
“One of the things about Chelsea was her perseverance,”
Kristie said. “The whole reason she became a runner is
because she did not make the volleyball team. She believed
when you have roadblocks and things that happen you
have to find the positive, you have to find the hope in any
situation.”
SDG&E’s grant has helped Chelsea’s Light support the next
generation of leaders through our Chelsea’s Light Peer Corps
program. Their support and commitment has allowed us to
create trust and bonding between peers, where self-worth
and strength of character are supported, where students
embrace and teach acceptance and diversity, and where they
are given permission and support to truly step into their
full potential as role models and changemakers. Ultimately,
inspiring positive change in our community.
Over 8,000 Changemakers feel the power of community at Finish
Chelsea’s Run
Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman
show their support for Chelsea’s Light Foundation
From passing Chelsea’s Law
to inspiring followers on their
Facebook page, Chelsea’s Light
Foundation has positively
impacted California.{ }
(continued)