By: Stephanie Geraghty
(Credit also to Payge B for her amazing support compiling the list!)
Our club is such a unique and diversified association, I find it hard at times to capture what we do in words, let alone numbers. My fellow coordinators at Camp Lejeune used to joke that when I would try to recruit new members, I could be...um...a tad overwhelming. I wanted to tell them everything at once and no doubt, I left some new recruits feeling like deer in headlights! I couldn't help myself. Our story is BIG and there's so much to tell. And I want everyone to be able to experience our awesomeness.
(Credit also to Payge B for her amazing support compiling the list!)
Our club is such a unique and diversified association, I find it hard at times to capture what we do in words, let alone numbers. My fellow coordinators at Camp Lejeune used to joke that when I would try to recruit new members, I could be...um...a tad overwhelming. I wanted to tell them everything at once and no doubt, I left some new recruits feeling like deer in headlights! I couldn't help myself. Our story is BIG and there's so much to tell. And I want everyone to be able to experience our awesomeness.
One way we can tell our story is to compile our team's achievements in a numbered list every year. This is no small task and I am ashamed to say I usually have this published in the spring. I was so amazed by what the team achieved in 2016, I kept procrastinating! Frankly, I was worried I wouldn't do it justice. I'm glad I finally came to terms with the fact that I don't have to because the numbers speak for themselves. Without further delay, I present to you...
Stroller Warriors Running Club By the Numbers in 2016!
196,750 – Miles completed for our “Run the World” mileage tracking campaign
32,332 – Dollars donated to organizations around the world
16,280 – Total members listed on our chapter pages (As of 3/17/17)
7,045 – Likes on our fan page
1,131 – Pairs of shoes donated to Soles for Souls
950 – Personal care items donated
798 – Pounds of Food
514 – Members who graduated the Couch to 5K program
498 – Cans/boxes of Food
368 – Mini Miles graduates at 15 chapters
324 – Race items donated
352 – Run the World participants
259 – Toys donated to Toys for Tots
231 – Wreaths donated to Wreaths Across America
261 – Chapter Volunteers on Staff
250 – Meals served
200 – Items of clothing
140 – Bridge to 10K Graduates
129 – Meal Trains for Stroller Warriors in need
123 – Members who completed the Couch to Crazy series at 11 chapters
100 – Filled backpacks donated to Operation Homefront
80 – Chapter Coordinators (“Fearless Leaders!")
63 – Raffle gifts to members
59 – Free race registrations gifted to members
48 – Rounds of C25K offered at 26 chapters
36 – Active Stroller Warriors chapters at year-end
36 – Loads of clothes
20 – Race volunteers
19 – BOB strollers donated
13 – Chapters added in 2016
13 – Ragnar Relay Teams
11 – Rounds of B210K at 9 chapters
9 – Headquarters Leaders
9 – Shoe Drives for Souls for Soles
7 – Global staff members
5 – Awards given to chapters
4 – Try to Tri Sprint Races
3 – Marathon Relay Teams
2 – Have to Half Half Marathon Races
1 – Mini Try to Tri Triathlon
Immeasurable - Everything else ♥
196,750 – Miles completed for our “Run the World” mileage tracking campaign
32,332 – Dollars donated to organizations around the world
16,280 – Total members listed on our chapter pages (As of 3/17/17)
7,045 – Likes on our fan page
1,131 – Pairs of shoes donated to Soles for Souls
950 – Personal care items donated
798 – Pounds of Food
514 – Members who graduated the Couch to 5K program
498 – Cans/boxes of Food
368 – Mini Miles graduates at 15 chapters
324 – Race items donated
352 – Run the World participants
259 – Toys donated to Toys for Tots
231 – Wreaths donated to Wreaths Across America
261 – Chapter Volunteers on Staff
250 – Meals served
200 – Items of clothing
140 – Bridge to 10K Graduates
129 – Meal Trains for Stroller Warriors in need
123 – Members who completed the Couch to Crazy series at 11 chapters
100 – Filled backpacks donated to Operation Homefront
80 – Chapter Coordinators (“Fearless Leaders!")
63 – Raffle gifts to members
59 – Free race registrations gifted to members
48 – Rounds of C25K offered at 26 chapters
36 – Active Stroller Warriors chapters at year-end
36 – Loads of clothes
20 – Race volunteers
19 – BOB strollers donated
13 – Chapters added in 2016
13 – Ragnar Relay Teams
11 – Rounds of B210K at 9 chapters
9 – Headquarters Leaders
9 – Shoe Drives for Souls for Soles
7 – Global staff members
5 – Awards given to chapters
4 – Try to Tri Sprint Races
3 – Marathon Relay Teams
2 – Have to Half Half Marathon Races
1 – Mini Try to Tri Triathlon
Immeasurable - Everything else ♥
There are a few things that stood out to me when compared with numbers in years past. First off, we have seen an immense increase in involvement by our Mini Warriors. An astounding 368 children completed a Mini Miles program in 2016! Stroller Warriors hosts workouts that are kid-friendly because a big piece of our mission is to support families. When these children accompany us at workouts, they are always watching what we do. These kids yearned for an opportunity to set and meet tangible goals just like Mom and Dad. Our Fearless Leaders recognized this need and offered mileage tracking programs designed just for the kids. They also offered foot races and mini triathlons to give them an opportunity to showcase their hard work. Because of Stroller Warriors, these kids are learning that any goal requires time and dedication. They will carry that lesson with them for years to come. That positive influence is a direct reflection of our membership and the example they have set. Well done, team, and way to go Mini's!
Another thing I noted about these numbers was immense support for our newer runners. We continue to encourage our chapters to offer opportunities to complete Couch to 5K, an 8-week program designed to assist newer runners in completing a 5K. In 2016, we offered 48 rounds of Couch to 5K at 26 chapters and this resulted in 514 graduates! Our C25K participants are typically beginner runners or individuals who have not run in a while due to pregnancy, injury, or life circumstances. I actually participated in C25K myself in 2012 when I was pregnant with my daughter. It was an incredible experience that deepened my link to the team and showed me a different perspective of what our new members experience. Last year, we helped over 500 people embark on that awesome journey. Many of them went on to complete a 10K and even a marathon. What a feat. I'd venture to say many of them would not have achieved that without our programming. I should also note, some of those C25K grads are now workout leaders and chapter coordinators. Many of them say they never dreamed that this would be their destiny, and they embrace their newfound leadership role with such joy. Their success ranks as a "this is why" moment for all our volunteers.
I really loved seeing an increase in relay teams in 2016. We had 13 teams registered with RAGNAR! That event is around 200 miles in length, lasts 2 days and 1 night, and requires each team member to run legs varying distances at sometimes crazy hours! Some of the races are on the road and others are on trails. It takes an immense amount of coordination to put this together and our Fearless Leaders do an exemplary job. We also had a couple chapters host relay fundraisers at their respective installations, logging long miles together in the name of a great cause, carrying a flag or guidon. A relay truly epitomizes what we do in Stroller Warriors, supporting each other and building friendships. It's not about an individual finish, it's about the support of the team and getting to the finish line together in the name of something great. I personally have not had the opportunity to participate with a RAGNAR team yet, but because of Stroller Warriors, it's on my bucket list and I will achieve this goal someday. Thank you for the inspiration, team!
Outside of numbers, there were specific words that stood out to me in this list. "Donated," "served," and "gifted." Keep in mind, our organization is 100% free and 100% volunteer-ran. Our club inspires members and the surrounding community to spur to action. We gather and donate things that people desperately need, from shoes to clothing to supplies. We gift our members with things that improve their quality of life, from meals to jogging strollers to race registrations. We give our time as volunteers at local races and events. We also offer prayers, encouraging words, and gestures of love when there is a call for help, for anyone and everyone. We love to host dedication workouts to increase awareness and remember those in need of our support. Those kinds of things are immeasurable.
The other immeasurable component is we cannot quantify emotions. Our members do life together. That means they share smiles, laughs, successes, frustrations, and sorrows. They get up early and travel to races just to cheer each other on. They help push a little cyclist up a hill at a workout, because we're family and we treat all the Mini Warriors as our own. They invite fellow Warriors into their home for a holiday celebration because they know what loneliness feels like and they want to make it better. They share each other's goals as their own. They will do anything to make sure their team mate meets that goal, from providing childcare to texting accountability messages (So, did you get in your run?!). They bring each other treats, meals, and good ole cold beer because it helps and it's nice to know someone cares. They write heartfelt fairwells on the chapter pages when they PCS because leaving family is hard. They keep in touch even after they move and find a reason (a race!) to reunite. It's all this and more. We cannot measure any of this in numbers, or even words, and that's what makes this club more than just a way to workout. Stroller Warriors is a way of life.
Below you will find a list of organizations that our chapters donated to in some form this year. As you scroll down I bet your response will mirror mine...the list is HUGE. These organizations are presented in no particular order, and every single one touched our hearts in a special way. We are honored to help them meet their mission just as they help us meet ours.
We were proud to support these incredible charities through donations of funds and supplies:
• Dare 2 Tri Paratriathlong Club
• Hope 4 Warriors
• Rhett Syndrome
• CureSMA
• Toys for Tots
• Naval Hospital Multi Service Ward
• Wreaths Across America
• Residents of Venezuela
• Soles for Souls
• Semper Fi Fund
• Family Assistance Ministry of Orange County
• Fisher House Camp Pendelton
• Operation Santa Claus Fort Riley
• Commando Cookie Drive
• Pregnancy Resource Center
• Hurricane Evacuees
• Tripler Fisher House
• Salvation Army
• RAF Lakenheath Airmans pantry
• Airmen in Turkey
• Fisher House Miramar
• Rescue Mission San Diego
• San Diego Military outreach Ministries
• ACT Today
• Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
• Soma
• Food Bank for Monterey County
• Operation Homefront
• Member at the Okinawa Chapter
• Make a Wish Foundation
• AFA Okinawa Scholarship Fund
• Marin Thrift Store
• Youth Center
• Kadena Special Olympics
• St Mary’s Soup Kitchen
• Girls on the Run
• Campbell Family
• Manna Food Pantry
• Thurman Brisbane Homeless Shelter
• Landstuhl Fisher House
• Turkey Evacuees
• USO Ramstein PAX terminal
• Ramstein enlisted spouses thrift store
• Food Bank
• Operation Smile
• Samaritan House
• Muscular Dystrophy Association
• Relief for victims in the flooded zone of Baton Rouge
• Yuman Woman’s shelter
• Gold Star family
• Kumamoto Earthquake relief
• Tohuku charity run
We were proud to support these incredible charities through donations of funds and supplies:
• Dare 2 Tri Paratriathlong Club
• Hope 4 Warriors
• Rhett Syndrome
• CureSMA
• Toys for Tots
• Naval Hospital Multi Service Ward
• Wreaths Across America
• Residents of Venezuela
• Soles for Souls
• Semper Fi Fund
• Family Assistance Ministry of Orange County
• Fisher House Camp Pendelton
• Operation Santa Claus Fort Riley
• Commando Cookie Drive
• Pregnancy Resource Center
• Hurricane Evacuees
• Tripler Fisher House
• Salvation Army
• RAF Lakenheath Airmans pantry
• Airmen in Turkey
• Fisher House Miramar
• Rescue Mission San Diego
• San Diego Military outreach Ministries
• ACT Today
• Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
• Soma
• Food Bank for Monterey County
• Operation Homefront
• Member at the Okinawa Chapter
• Make a Wish Foundation
• AFA Okinawa Scholarship Fund
• Marin Thrift Store
• Youth Center
• Kadena Special Olympics
• St Mary’s Soup Kitchen
• Girls on the Run
• Campbell Family
• Manna Food Pantry
• Thurman Brisbane Homeless Shelter
• Landstuhl Fisher House
• Turkey Evacuees
• USO Ramstein PAX terminal
• Ramstein enlisted spouses thrift store
• Food Bank
• Operation Smile
• Samaritan House
• Muscular Dystrophy Association
• Relief for victims in the flooded zone of Baton Rouge
• Yuman Woman’s shelter
• Gold Star family
• Kumamoto Earthquake relief
• Tohuku charity run
We also hosted special workouts dedicated to a specific cause. Our goal is to use these opportunities to raise awareness and bond our membership for common good.
We ran in honor of these causes:
• Fun Run for Steph for Suicide Awareness
• Run for Little Hearts
• Red, White, and Silkies
• Red Shirt Friday
• Ainsleys Angels
• Wear Blue to Remember
• Fisher House
• Domestic Violence Awareness
• Veterans Day
• 12 Runs of Giving
• Military Kid appreciation
• Childhood cancer
• Breast Cancer
• National Running Day and Charity Miles
• Semper Fi Fund
• Organization for Autism Reasearch
• Toys for Tots
• SW supports SW
• Alex’s Million Miles
• Honor our Veterans
• Murph Workout
• RED 2
• OAR
• Red Shirt Friday
• Wounded Warrior Dedication Run
• Deployed Family Dedication Run
We ran in honor of these causes:
• Fun Run for Steph for Suicide Awareness
• Run for Little Hearts
• Red, White, and Silkies
• Red Shirt Friday
• Ainsleys Angels
• Wear Blue to Remember
• Fisher House
• Domestic Violence Awareness
• Veterans Day
• 12 Runs of Giving
• Military Kid appreciation
• Childhood cancer
• Breast Cancer
• National Running Day and Charity Miles
• Semper Fi Fund
• Organization for Autism Reasearch
• Toys for Tots
• SW supports SW
• Alex’s Million Miles
• Honor our Veterans
• Murph Workout
• RED 2
• OAR
• Red Shirt Friday
• Wounded Warrior Dedication Run
• Deployed Family Dedication Run
We couldn't do what we do without the support of the community. Some of our chapters wanted to take a moment to specifically identify groups that truly appreciate and embody the Stroller Warriors spirit. Through their support, they enable us to continue to meet our goals. We are grateful.
We want to extend a big THANK YOU to these organizations, businesses, and individuals for their support:
• Palm Desert Half Marathon
• Left Turn Designs
• Road Runners Sports
• Falls Church
• Lululemon
• Carol Rawlins (donated Medals)
• MWR
• Bobby's Screen Printing
• Be Fit Kailua
• Hawaii Triathlon Center
• 9/11 Heroes Run
• FL FitNiche
• Road Runner Sports
• ACT Today! For Military Families
• First Command
• Signature 22
• Operation Homefront
• Headsweats
• Varsity Sports
• Iron Horse Screen Printing
• Glass House in Forest
• BOB Strollers
• AMCC/Tri Command
• MCCS
We want to extend a big THANK YOU to these organizations, businesses, and individuals for their support:
• Palm Desert Half Marathon
• Left Turn Designs
• Road Runners Sports
• Falls Church
• Lululemon
• Carol Rawlins (donated Medals)
• MWR
• Bobby's Screen Printing
• Be Fit Kailua
• Hawaii Triathlon Center
• 9/11 Heroes Run
• FL FitNiche
• Road Runner Sports
• ACT Today! For Military Families
• First Command
• Signature 22
• Operation Homefront
• Headsweats
• Varsity Sports
• Iron Horse Screen Printing
• Glass House in Forest
• BOB Strollers
• AMCC/Tri Command
• MCCS
(With so many chapters and events going on year-round worldwide, it's quite possible we may have missed a name or two. We apologize in advance, and please feel free to comment and add to our list as needed!)
We have a few more important thank you's to extend...
Our service members: We just celebrated the Fourth of July holiday, a day that celebrates freedom and independence. Our American military protect these ideals and inspire us every day through their selfless service. They each support their Stroller Warrior with his or her own goals, sometimes from thousands of miles away. We could not do what we do without them. We love you and appreciate you more than you know! Thank you.
Our military installation personnel/leadership: We commend our military installations for embracing our presence and building and maintaining trails and play equipment. We are very grateful for local and affordable opportunities to compete in the base-sponsored races. (We also love seeing the addition of stroller divisions!) We hope our relationship with these military installations continues to grow and deepen for years to come.
We have a few more important thank you's to extend...
Our service members: We just celebrated the Fourth of July holiday, a day that celebrates freedom and independence. Our American military protect these ideals and inspire us every day through their selfless service. They each support their Stroller Warrior with his or her own goals, sometimes from thousands of miles away. We could not do what we do without them. We love you and appreciate you more than you know! Thank you.
Our military installation personnel/leadership: We commend our military installations for embracing our presence and building and maintaining trails and play equipment. We are very grateful for local and affordable opportunities to compete in the base-sponsored races. (We also love seeing the addition of stroller divisions!) We hope our relationship with these military installations continues to grow and deepen for years to come.
Our Fearless Leaders and volunteer staff: You are the heart of this organization. You give more hours than our members will ever know and you do it with joy. Your role is not without challenges, sometimes even tears. You weather the ups and downs with strength and grace. You dream big and keep working to make our SW villages even better, even stronger. Keep being fearless. THIS IS WHY.
Our Headquarters team and global staff: These women are the unsung heroes behind the scenes who literally run the club on a global scale. HQ establishes and upholds our club guidelines so we can continue to meet the mission we hold so dear. They hire and mentor coordination staff and provide ongoing guidance and support. They oversee chapter activity and provide feedback. When needed, they handle the hard stuff and they do so with professionalism and kindness. They often balance their HQ duties with roles at their respective chapters. They receive very little reward or recognition aside from the personal satisfaction of knowing they're making a positive difference. Oh, and they also make sure they have fun doing it! I only hire witty, cool people and our HQ discussions are always lively. A funny meme never hurts either. Ha!
The following individuals held HQ and global jobs with Stroller Warriors in 2016 and we are beyond grateful for their contributions. They are the chosen few among thousands to lead this club!
Headquarters Staff:
Deana H: HQ Staff, Guidebook Editor, Camp Lejeune Coordinator Alumni
Kelly M: HQ Regional Manager, Blog Manager, Okinawa Founder, Quantico Founder
Rachel M: HQ Regional Manager, Ramstein Founder
Shannon F: HQ Staff, PR, Web Sites, China Lake Chapter Founder, Camp Lejeune Coordinator Alumni
Megan D: HQ Regional Manager, Gear and Graphic Design Planning, 29 Palms Founder
Wendy B: Run the World Campaign Manager, New Orleans Coordinator
Payge B: HQ Regional Manager, Pearl Harbor Coordinator Alumni
Lindsay S: HQ Regional Manager, 29 Palms Coordinator Alumni, Quantico Coordinator
Social Media and Global Staff:
Shannon S: Graphic Designer
Angel P: Blog Assistant Manager
Luisa P: Facebook Global Page
Libby L: Facebook Global Page
Lauren G: Facebook Global Page
Arlene A: Facebook Global Page, Parris Island Coordinator Alumni, Kaneohe Bay Coordinator
Angela S: Facebook Global Page Assistant, Run the World Assistant and Public Relations
As for me, believe it or not, 2016 was my 7th year serving as Stroller Warriors CEO. It's been an incredible ride. I'm looking forward to finishing out my 8th year in 2017 before my retirement in 2018. It's such an honor to be a part of these numbers and I look forward to continued greatness in years to come. Keep being awesome, Warriors! You never cease to amaze me.
HAPPY RUNNING from SW Headquarters,
Your founder and CEO,
Stephanie Geraghty
Our Headquarters team and global staff: These women are the unsung heroes behind the scenes who literally run the club on a global scale. HQ establishes and upholds our club guidelines so we can continue to meet the mission we hold so dear. They hire and mentor coordination staff and provide ongoing guidance and support. They oversee chapter activity and provide feedback. When needed, they handle the hard stuff and they do so with professionalism and kindness. They often balance their HQ duties with roles at their respective chapters. They receive very little reward or recognition aside from the personal satisfaction of knowing they're making a positive difference. Oh, and they also make sure they have fun doing it! I only hire witty, cool people and our HQ discussions are always lively. A funny meme never hurts either. Ha!
The following individuals held HQ and global jobs with Stroller Warriors in 2016 and we are beyond grateful for their contributions. They are the chosen few among thousands to lead this club!
Headquarters Staff:
Deana H: HQ Staff, Guidebook Editor, Camp Lejeune Coordinator Alumni
Kelly M: HQ Regional Manager, Blog Manager, Okinawa Founder, Quantico Founder
Rachel M: HQ Regional Manager, Ramstein Founder
Shannon F: HQ Staff, PR, Web Sites, China Lake Chapter Founder, Camp Lejeune Coordinator Alumni
Megan D: HQ Regional Manager, Gear and Graphic Design Planning, 29 Palms Founder
Wendy B: Run the World Campaign Manager, New Orleans Coordinator
Payge B: HQ Regional Manager, Pearl Harbor Coordinator Alumni
Lindsay S: HQ Regional Manager, 29 Palms Coordinator Alumni, Quantico Coordinator
Social Media and Global Staff:
Shannon S: Graphic Designer
Angel P: Blog Assistant Manager
Luisa P: Facebook Global Page
Libby L: Facebook Global Page
Lauren G: Facebook Global Page
Arlene A: Facebook Global Page, Parris Island Coordinator Alumni, Kaneohe Bay Coordinator
Angela S: Facebook Global Page Assistant, Run the World Assistant and Public Relations
As for me, believe it or not, 2016 was my 7th year serving as Stroller Warriors CEO. It's been an incredible ride. I'm looking forward to finishing out my 8th year in 2017 before my retirement in 2018. It's such an honor to be a part of these numbers and I look forward to continued greatness in years to come. Keep being awesome, Warriors! You never cease to amaze me.
HAPPY RUNNING from SW Headquarters,
Your founder and CEO,
Stephanie Geraghty
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