Behind every Girls on the Run team is a community of supporters who believe in the potential of every girl. For 30 years, volunteers, coaches, donors, and community champions have invested their time to help girls in their community discover what they are capable of achieving.
Since 2018, Girls on the Run International has recognized volunteers whose extraordinary dedication helps bring our mission to life through our annual Remarkable Volunteer Awards. Local councils across the network nominate these inspiring individuals, whose impact reaches far beyond a single season.
We are proud to celebrate our 2026 Remarkable Volunteer Award recipients, recognizing everyday heroes whose dedication has strengthened the Girls on the Run mission in their communities.
Keep reading to get to know our 2026 Remarkable Volunteer Award winners!
Remarkable Coach
- Allison Wirtes, Girls on the Run Indiana Crossroads
- Laura Moodie, Girls on the Run South Central Texas
- Sarah Painter, Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay
- Stephanie Snavely, Girls on the Run Berks County
- Monique Hanis, Girls on the Run Northern Virginia
- Helen Granskog, Girls on the Run Southeastern Connecticut
- Unique Martin, Girls on the Run Memphis
- Rachel DeCosta, Girls on the Run Rhode Island
- Darcy Houseknecht, Girls on the Run Mid State PA
- Linda Valley, Girls on the Run WestSound
- Mary Franco, Brandi Begin, and Dereck Webb, Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts
- Jen Byrne, Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut
- Heather Renaud, Girls on the Run Hampton Roads
Our Remarkable Coaches demonstrate what it means to show up season after season with a commitment to inspiring the girls in their community. Through countless practices and finish line celebrations, these coaches create space where girls feel seen and supported.
Coach Unique has spent nine seasons building a thriving team in an underserved Memphis community, creating an environment of inclusivity and belonging and has even coordinated with local businesses to provide girls with snacks, socks, and other resources.
Coach Rachel has positively impacted more than 250 girls in over 11 years, mentoring fellow coaches to strengthen the program’s reach, while in Western Massachusetts, Coaches Mary, Brandi, and Dereck have built a thriving GOTR community at their elementary school, creating fun 5K-day traditions, rallying a school-wide cheer section for their practice 5K, and recruiting fellow teachers and students to support the program season after season.
After relocating from Vermont to Southeastern Connecticut, Coach Helen reached out to her council to express interest in getting involved with GOTR in her new community and quickly established a lasting community by launching a site and recruiting coaches and volunteers.
Coach Jen has been a cornerstone of GOTR Greater Connecticut since its founding over 10 years ago, serving as a coach, staff member, board member, ambassador, and leader who has helped them grow since the very beginning.
Remarkable Council Supporter
- Feleecia Watkins, Girls on the Run Central Iowa
- Jodi Olah and the Highland High School Key Club, Girls on the Run Indiana Crossroads
- Jamie and Greg Black, Girls on the Run Philadelphia
- Dr. Jennifer Woodside, Girls on the Run Piedmont
- Marie LaForce, Girls on the Run Piedmont
- Marlou Svenson, Girls on the Run Northern Virginia
- Roberta Butler, Girls on the Run Rhode Island
- Karen Ullman, Girls on the Run Memphis
- Ashley Davies, Girls on the Run Puget Sound
- Jessica Holloway, Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts
- Jennifer Shafer, Girls on the Run Greater Cincinnati
- Karen Ayres, Girls on the Run New Jersey East
Remarkable Council Supporter recipients strengthen Girls on the Run in local communities in countless ways beyond coaching and fundraising. For instance, Jodi Olah and the Highland High School Key Club regularly volunteer at 5Ks and council events, while Jamie and Greg Black have transformed a single day of volunteering into years of service, becoming dedicated board leaders and council supporters who rally others to support GOTR. Their willingness to help wherever needed with their signature “heck yeah!” attitude has made them invaluable members of their community.
Dr. Jennifer Woodside has strengthened GOTR Piedmont through her board leadership and financial expertise, allowing the council to improve operations and expand its capacity to serve more girls. Marlou Svenson organized a snack drive to collect more than 500 snacks for teams facing food insecurity alongside coaching in underserved communities, while Karen Ullman has supported her council since its founding as a coach, fundraiser, site liaison, and community connector, helping to expand opportunities for girls in the region.
Remarkable Fundraiser
- Alison Erbig, Girls on the Run Greater Boston
- Jinx Vidrine, Girls on the Run South Louisiana
- Jo Bader, Girls on the Run Puget Sound
- Karla King, Girls on the Run Greater Boston
- Junior League of Northern Virginia, Girls on the Run Northern Virginia
Our Remarkable Fundraiser recipients show how generosity can change lives. Through corporate partnerships, individual giving, becoming a SoleMate, and inspiring others to invest in our mission, they have helped more girls in their community have access to Girls on the Run.
For example, in Boston, Alison Erbig raises more than $100,000 annually through corporate sponsorships for the Sneaker Soirée and introduces new supporters to our mission. In South Louisiana, Jinx Vidrine has combined personal giving, matching gifts, and community fundraising to expand scholarships and resources for local participants. Beyond her financial contributions, Jinx has helped remove barriers to participation by expanding access to healthy snacks and ensuring girls have the supplies they need to participate, such as shoes.
For more than 15 years, Jo Bader has helped grow support for her council through volunteer leadership and fundraising, raising more than $1.1 million in her 15-year tenure leading the Sneaker Soirée, helping expand opportunities for girls across the region. Meanwhile, the Junior League of Northern Virginia has provided grants, volunteers, and support that grow year after year, while Karla King shows dedication by raising more than $59,000 as a SoleMate across five Boston Marathons, while also continuing to serve as a coach.
Feeling inspired and motivated to become a remarkable volunteer in your own community? Find a way to volunteer with Girls on the Run in your community!
