Girls on the Run Arrives in Cherokee

A national program that uses physical fitness to keep preteen girls from the clutches of alcohol, eating disorders, sex and other social pressures has expanded to Cherokee County.

"We have just partnered with Cherokee Parks and Recreation," said Cathie Brugnoli, executive director of the Girls on the Run affiliate in Forsyth and Hall counties.

The first session in Cherokee will be held in BridgeMill, though details have not been finalized.

Founded in 1996 in Charlotte, NC, Girls on the Run targets girls in third through eighth grades. It uses running to empower them, promote healthy living and boost self-esteem.

Since its expansion in metro Atlanta in 2000, Brugnoli estimates the program has reached approximately 1,200 girls a year.

She was a volunteer with another metro Atlanta council that covers Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Gwinnett and Fulton counties when she noticed more and more girls driving from Forsyth to take part.

A Suwanee resident, she started the Forsyth-Hall chapter in 2005. There were 38 girls in the first group in spring 2006. The chapter operates at 19 schools and two parks today.

From the beginning, Cherokee County was always part of Brugnoli's master plan. It's just taken time to raise the needed funds and find sponsors and volunteers to handle the expansion.

Some BridgeMill moms approached Brugnoli and offered to help. They are currently running a trial class, but it is not open to the general public.

Fall registration for the public BridgeMill class will start May 1. The first session will last 12 weeks and cover values, emotions, dealing with peer pressure, gossip, community service and training for a 5K run. Girls on the Run is meant to be a three year commitment.

"Eventually," Brugnoli said, "we would love to offer our program in (Cherokee) schools as we do in Hall and Forsyth."

CHEROKEE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Go to www.gotrforsyth.org for more information.