​Stroller Warriors®, Friends, and Fans:
 
2022 was an exciting year for Stroller Warriors— ALL our chapters were finally able to host events in person!  From running events, to charitable outreach events and mini-warrior celebration runs, it was a joyous occasion for everyone.  Each chapter was able to be together again! 
 
Collaborations between our chapters and partnering military affiliated organizations were in full swing too!  Stroller Warriors teamed up with Blue Star Military Families during Blue Star Welcome Week— hosting running events, and even joining forces with local running groups to raise awareness about the needs of military families

​The joy of 2022 would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteer force!  THANK YOU to our volunteers!  Stroller Warriors has a rich history!  Rewind back to 2010, what started with 1 chapter and 3 members has now become an incredible organization with over 50+ chapters opening— all organized and managed by VOLUNTEERS committed to building happy, healthy military families!  All our volunteers, from Coordinators to Workout Leaders, to Social and Community Outreach volunteers fulfilled an integral role in growing and building this extraordinary group!  Thank you for making 2022 a memorable year!
 
The Stroller Warriors HQ leadership would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our vendors and community partners— thank you for your support and belief in our mission!   Your continued support helps the Stroller Warriors community blossom!
 
Now with the drumroll, we present to you Stroller Warriors by the numbers 2022!
 
2 chapters participated in team relay races
3 gifts of BOBs
8 B210K sessions
12 C2C finishers
9 chapters participated in the stroller loaner program
27 B210K graduates
47 sessions of C25K
47 Meal trains provided
60 Coordinators
65 donations to members of Stroller Warriors
73 special events coordinated by Stroller Warriors Chapters
144 volunteers (not including Coordinators)
187 mileage incentive program participants
196 mini miles finishers
207 C25K graduates
275.5 hours of manpower donated (not including time volunteered with Stroller Warriors)
650 active members who regularly attend workouts.
1757 items donated to various charities
2268.25 miles ran by mini warriors
3000 dollars donated to charities
39222.77 miles ran together as a team

Unmeasurable:
 
The amount of strength and tenderness our members embody towards each other, as well as the military and local communities— the enthusiasm each member displays through their dedication to the sport of running, and the compassion each member displays towards all those around have a profound impact on others. 
 
Stroller Warriors took part in dedication runs and workouts for the following causes:
 
Autism Awareness Run
Blue Star Families
Celebrate Earth Day
Climb Out of Darkness hike for postpartum mental health
Disabled American Veterans
Fisher House Dedication Run
Hall Family Dedication Run
International Nurses Day
Loosefoot Memorial Run
Military Spouse Appreciation
Operation First Response
Pat Tillman Foundation
Purple Up for Military Kids
Random Acts of Kindness Day
Run for Steph
Stop Soldier Suicide
Travis Manion Foundation
Valentines Day for Veterans
Wear Pink- Breast Cancer Run

​A HUGE Thank you to these vendors, businesses and organizations that have provided tremendous support and partnerships with our Stroller Warrior Chapters:
 
Blue Star Families
BOCO
Brendan Halbohm- Logo Desiger
Breathe Oahu
Climb Works
Fleet Feet
Fort Riley Spouses Club
Joint Base Charleston MFRC
Joint Base Charleston Libraries
628th Logistics Readiness Squadron (Joint Base Charleston)
Junction City 12th Community Gym
Long Leaf Promotions
MCMWTC Family Readiness Team
JT Half Marathon
Hawaii Running Lab
HiClimb
Kualoa Ranch
Manhattan Parks and Recreation
Park Circle Pacers
Saint John Catholic School- North Charleston
Seewoog Parkrun
Treadmill and J&A Racing
USO
​Zack Hilton
Zia Cafe
 
As Stroller Warriors continue to stride into 2023, we hope for many happy and enjoyable miles with friends, and the continued growth and outreach of our Stroller Warriors community! 
 
Happy Running 😊

Running has been a central part of my life for a long time— since second grade to be exact!  This was when my local church created a free CYO track team.  We didn’t practice at a track, or run laps around the neighborhood— we met at a local softball field to run long lengths back and forth.  Running, especially with a team, immediately became my sport of choice for these reasons: 1) because it as free, and 2) because I realized that I was speedy.
 
My running transformed the older I got.  In high school, I was always the teammate that loved running shuttle spirts during volleyball and basketball warm-ups, enjoyed the 1-mile warm-up at the beginning of track practice, and I liked learning techniques to strategically empty the tank when I ran the 400m events.  One time, during high school volleyball practice, our coach made us run to a neighboring high school to retrieve the volleyballs we left the night before— 5 miles there, 5 miles back.  This was my first-ever endurance run.  Though at first I dreaded the idea of it, I ended up loving it! 
 
Running took a back seat during my first few months of college.  I never ran for the sake of running— it had always been for a team sport.  One afternoon, my dorm neighbor asked me to come along with her to the fitness center.  Believe it or not, this was my first time ever stepping foot in a gym!  A few minutes on the treadmill, and some reps on several machines did not sell me on the whole gym idea.  I didn’t go back anytime soon! 
 
Fast forward a few months from my first gym visit— I met my then boyfriend (now husband) during my freshman year of college and he loved to run!  I shared stories about track and running in high school, and we decided to meet up for a running date after class!  I thought we could successfully complete a 3-mile run together, but I didn’t make it!  800 meters into the run and I was on the struggle-bus having to stop every 200 meters to walk!  I shocked myself at how quickly I lost my running endurance.  My previous experiences with running went hand-in-hand with an organized sport and never as a sport I could accomplish on my own, or with a group of friends for fun.  Running for the sake of running became a new concept.  This was an incredible epiphany for me, and it was a pivotal event in my life with a newfound love for the sport! 
 
A group of my closest college friends formed a running group— setting out early in the morning to run followed by a quick breakfast together before class, or meeting in the afternoon to run around the lakes!  Quickly, running became an integral and incredibly happy part of my everyday life.
 
During college breaks, I tackled the hills in my neighborhood and ran down all of the piers in the Boston Navy Yard— often taking a moment to admire the skyline when I crested the top of Bunker Hill Street or slowing my pace to listen to the seagulls and the clanging of the buoy-bells in the Boston Harbor.  Running now transformed into a sport that I also enjoyed by myself!