Girls on the Run of Collier County partners with UnitedHealthcare

• Ten-week after-school fitness and life-skills training program culminates in UnitedHealthcare Girls on the Run 5K “graduation” race on Saturday, December 16
• Independent study shows Girls on the Run provides lasting, positive change to 97 percent of participants

Girls on the Run of Collier County announced that UnitedHealthcare will serve as presenting partner for the 2017-18 Girls on the Run “season.”

The 10-week, after-school 5K and life-skills training program will benefit over 253 third- through eighth-grade girls attending more than 17 elementary schools from Collier County. UnitedHealthcare’s support includes funding program scholarships for girls and schools based on financial need.

Two sessions, each in the fall and spring, teach life skills through dynamic interactive lessons and running games to build confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Each session culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K race—the UnitedHealthcare Reindeer Run 5K at the Community School in Naples.

Findings from an independent study show the Girls on the Run program has a significant impact on young women’s lives with 97 percent learning critical life skills and 85 percent showing improved confidence, competence, caring, character or connection. The girls who were the least active at the start of the program demonstrated a more than 40 percent increase in physical activity.

“Our partnership with UnitedHealthcare enables Girls on the Run Greater of Collier County to support girls and schools with financial need to participate, and to provide a fun, scenic and inspiring 5K race series,” said Christine McConnelee, executive director of Girls on the Run of Collier County. “The partnership is an ideal fit given UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to wellness and supporting community-based programs that educate youth and families about the benefits of healthy living and exercise.”

“UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to support Girls on the Run of Collier County,” said Nicholas Zaffiris, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Miami/South Florida. “This after-school program empowers and inspires girls to live healthier lives.”

In Florida, UnitedHealthcare serves more than 3.4 million people with a care provider network of 270 hospitals and more than 56,000 physicians statewide.

About Girls on the Run of Collier County

Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in the third through eighth grades. The girls are taught life skills through dynamic interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Girls on the Run of Collier County is a subsidiary council of Girls on the Run International, which has a network of 200+ locations across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.gotrcc.org.