Stroller Warriors by the Numbers in 2015

When I think of Stroller Warriors, I think of friendship, family, team work, and all around happiness. I will readily admit that numbers are not the first thing on my mind, because we're so much more than a number can encompass. However, the numbers can add to the story too and help us define the direction we're going. For that reason, every winter our headquarters staff and chapter coordinators work together to compile a list of accomplishments as a team for the entire year. Whenever we compile these lists, we are surprised by the sheer magnitude of the story that the numbers tell. It is awespiring. Without further delay, we are excited to present to you:

Stroller Warriors Running Club by the Numbers in 2015!                                                                   ​
196,250: Miles completed for our "Run the World" mileage tracking campaign
33,145: Dollars donated to numerous organizations around the world
10,737: Total members listed on our chapter pages
5,058: Likes on our fan page
2,929: Household items and supplies donated to the Tripler Fisher House
1,107: Pairs of shoes donated for the Soles for Souls shoe drives
406: Pounds of food donated to food banks and Operation Gratitude
404: Members who graduated the Couch to 5K program
361: Run the World finishers at 24 chapters and including 15 global finishers
307: Total leadership and volunteer staff worldwide
228: Volunteer staff
145: Cans donated to the ASYMCA food drive and other food banks
137: Toys donated to Toys for Tots
135: Mini Miles finishers at 7 chapters
92: Couch to Crazy finishers at 6 chapters
88: Members who graduated the Bridge to 10K program
87: Meal trains for Stroller Warriors or local residents in need
82: Try to Tri race finishers at 2 chapters
64: Chapter coordinators
58: Pounds of stocking stuffers for Operation Christmas Stocking
52: Chapters we visited (and revisited!) on our "Run the World" relay
37: Rounds of Couch to 5K offered at 19 chapters
28: Active Stroller Warriors chapters at year-end
27:  Coats and blankets collected for a women's shelter
13: Rounds of Bridge to 10K offered at 12 chapters
12: Free race registrations donated to Stroller Warriors
11: Soles for Souls shoe drives
10:  Mini Try to Tri race finishers
9: Chapters added this year
8: B.O.B. running strollers at 4 chapters given to deserving Stroller Warriors in need
8: Global staff members
7: Headquarters leaders
7: Baskets for an assisted living facility
6: Meals served to people at the USO, Food for Life, and the Tripler Fisher House
6: Toys for Tots drives
4: RAGNAR teams at 3 chapters
4: Races that chapters supported with volunteers on the course
3: Try to Tri Sprint Triathlons at 2 chapters
3: Blood drives
2: Loads of clothing and supplies donated to the Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital
2: Mini Warriors 5K races
2: Marathon relay teams
2: Wreaths Across America volunteer events
2: Clothing swaps to support Stroller Warriors membership
1: Veteran’s Day parade entry
1: Have to Half marathon race
1: Mini Warriors triathlon
Priceless: Immeasurable gifts that our members give to the surrounding community and to each other every day

We are very excited to share these numbers, because it helps our members understand what an incredible positive difference they are making. We also want to note that these numbers are the minimum and underestimate what we accomplish, as some numbers were not (or could not) be reported.

The “Priceless” list item at the end recognizes the immense reach of the unique combination of activities that Stroller Warriors offers…including countless workouts, races, relays, book club gatherings, EFMP dinners, Warriors Night Out events, playdates, Prayer Warrior meetings, deployment support groups, swap shops, question responses, PCS mentoring, and general advice and recommendations about anything and everything. All of this combined is quite frankly, immeasurable.

---

“Priceless” also includes all the incredible emotional impacts that our membership experiences…like the smiles and laughs that define a Warriors Night Out…the prayers and kind words that Warriors offer constantly to help one another…the stroller pushing tradeoffs between friends to show the ultimate in team work…the notes and treats dropped on the porch to cheer a friend on a rough week…the high-fives and butt slaps on the trail to keep each other motivated…the instant new friend you met at your first workout to keep you coming back for more…the Warrior race and relay weekends to reach goals together and make friendships tighter…and the encouraging hugs to help a fellow spouse through the ups and downs of military life. THOSE are the things that truly bond us, uplift us, and build relationships and memories that last a lifetime. These are the moments that define our "village" and make Stroller Warriors so much more than a running club. We can't capture this in numbers but it's the very core of our mission.

---

We want to take a moment and recognize some of the organizations and events that our Stroller Warriors chapters have contributed to this year with our time, donations, and supplies. These organizations have showed great support and appreciation to us as well, motivating us to keep doing what we do...

The Semper Fi Fund, Hope for the Warriors, Soles for Souls, Operation Homefront, Fisher House, Girls on the Run, Wreaths Across America, Cure SMA, Raising Raiders, Team Ashlynn, Brothers in Arms Jenna Kemp, Dare2Tri, Toys for Tots, USO, American Cancer Society, Ironman Foundation, Autism Speaks, Gary Sinese Foundation, Wounded Warriors, Mrs. Sheets Library, Beaufort Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA), Beaufort Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Subcommittee, Healing Heroes of Low Country, Stand Alone Marine Project, Azalea Charities, Tunnels for Towers Foundation, KMC Healing Hearts, Every Mother Counts, Project Rudolph, Chapel Food Bank Yuma, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Operation Gratitude, Operation Christmas, Food for Life, Megan McClung Memorial Run, Steps for Sydney Half Marathon and 5K, Stop22, Run to Remember

---

All of these organizations and events are doing wonderful things for our community and we are thrilled that our chapters around the world could support their individual causes. We also want to recognize the other amazing organizations, businesses, and vendors out there we have missed on this post but have certainly held an impact on Stroller Warriors. Warriors, friends, and fans, feel free to add to our list in the comments below.
​
We owe a huge thanks to our service members! Simply put, you inspire us and we could not do what we do without your love and support. Another big thank you to the military installations and personnel for welcoming our presence, maintaining playgrounds and trails, and offering spectacular race series to motivate our membership (many now including stroller categories!).

---

Stroller Warriors, we hope this list of numbers reminds you of what you are capable of and motivates you to reach for the stars in 2016. You may feel like your individual contribution is small, but together we are better…together we are mighty…together we are unstoppable. Together we are making a difference. Keep up the great work, team. We are very proud of each and every one of you.

Chapter coordinators and volunteer staff, I want to close with saying, "This is why." Thank you. Keep being fearless.

HAPPY RUNNING from SW Headquarters, 
Your founder and CEO,
Stephanie Geraghty

---