Our June 2020 Referral Charity Winner!

Mary Cormier is our June 2020 Referral Charity Program Winner!

Mary chose Girls on the Run to receive the June 2020 $500 referral charity donation. She chose Girls on the Run because of their mission to teach young girls to be joyful, confident, and healthy. Mary’s daughter involved herself with the charity while coaching a field hockey team, and then discovered that all of her girls were lacking in self-confidence. Her daughter became active with the Girls on the Run program, and upon completion, the girls’ self-esteem had done a complete one-eighty! Mary and her daughter have been huge supporters of Girls on the Run ever since. Most recently, Mary hosted a virtual 5k; despite the rainy weather, not only did they raise $1800 but Mary also says it was one of the largest fundraising events they have ever had! Mary explains that due to COVID-19, Girls on the Run is struggling to obtain the funds to maintain their programs. So she had no hesitation about donating the prize to Girls on the Run.

Mary is from Gardner, MA, and has always believed in respect and equality for all. Before her retirement, Mary worked in diversity and abuse prevention training. She found it fulfilling to help everyone understand each other and work together. The programs were so successful that after the first session, they had to revamp the program to meet everyone’s needs. She was known for bringing people together and making even the most divided company, one of the most efficient teams.

Now retired and living happily in Polo Trace Country Club, Delray Beach, FL with her husband, John. Mary is still bringing people together. Before COVID-19, she would host meetups. She would use a modified version of the diversity program to introduce people from the community to each other and make new friends. More recently, Mary and a friend crafted over 1900 masks, distributing 400 around her neighborhood, and donating the rest to those in need around the country. Mary considers herself very fortunate for finding Polo Trace because she loves both the location and her community.          

Girls on the Run

Program founder Mary W. (“Molly”) Barker overcame many hardships, including a bout with alcoholism. Barker credits running for her sobriety, saying it gave her “respect for my body and everything it can do.” Barker went on to found Girls on the Run with a group of 13 girls. As of spring of 2015, the program reported that it had served its one-millionth girl overall. The program’s 5K races have been wildly successful; with over 350 races taking place annually, the Girls on the Run 5K series is the largest of its kind in the nation.

Over ten to twelve weeks, girls in third through fifth grade participate in an after-school program designed to allow every girl to recognize her inner strength. The Girls on the Run curriculum inspires girls to define their lives on their terms. Throughout the season, the girls make new friends, build their confidence, and celebrate all that makes them unique.

Learn more about Girls on the Run at girlsontherun.org