Spirited Young Girls Raise Money For Hurricane Victims, Endangered Wildlife

Drivers going through the Amherst Village on Tuesday encountered a wave of enthusiasm as a local group of girls raised funds for two good causes

An Amherst Girls on the Run team, coached by Karen Gookin and Andrea Bentley-Melle, sold edible goods and crafts to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund and the Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Fund.

Gookin said the girls raised $144.68 that day and will give one half of that amount to benefit each organization.

Girls on the Run teaches young girls life skills and encourages positive growth through a 10-week program that culminates in a celebratory 5K running event. The positive energy was certainly there as the girls stood outside of the Amherst Town Library that afternoon.

Team members Julia Tilton and Sarah Aspinwall were excited to raise money for others as part of their program. They also just love the good times they have on the team.

“I like running, so it is fun to run and be with friends just hanging out,” said Aspinwall.

This is Bentley-Melle and Gookin’s second year coaching with Girls on the Run, a program they see as a huge benefit for these young girls.

“We love getting to know the girls, and love the program and the content,” said Gookin. “It is really inspiring and empowering for the girls. It is wonderful.”

Find out what the other Amherst Girls on the Run team did for their community service project this year on Amherst Patch.