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SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — Each spring, hundreds of girls from across southwest Michigan gather to show off the hard work developed during several weeks of practice at the Girls on the Run annual 5K. Due to the novel COVID-19 virus, Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan announced Wednesday this year’s season and race has been canceled.

Organizers said the decision “recognizes our collective responsibility to ensure a safer and healthier community for all.”

Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan was poised to serve 759 girls in 2020, hosting 42 teams in Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, and St. Joseph counties. This season also marked the significant new 5K location — Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac — where teams from four counties could run together. As a nonprofit organization, the cancellation of the season and celebration 5K events presents significant a funding challenge.

“We are disappointed to have to make this decision, but our core values guide us to recognize our power and responsibility to be intentional in our decision-making, including nurturing our physical and emotional health,” said Heather Cole, board chair. “As a local nonprofit that relies on program fees to support our operations, this pandemic will have a devastating effect on our ability to continue to serve girls in southwest Michigan, and we are turning to the community for support so we can promise girls a season in the future.”

With challenging times ahead, Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan encourages the community to donate at gotrswmi.org/donate, allowing the organization to remain operational as leaders explore summer and fall programming.

“Our board and staff are working closely together to weather this storm, and to continue to provide support for our participants and their families while they are also living through this difficult situation, and we thank you for keeping our girls in mind,” Cole said.

Girls on the Run organizers are looking for other options to engage girls throughout southwest Michigan.

“Even though we’re unable to gather for lessons or the 5K events, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide opportunities for girls to be joyful, healthy and confident, and engaged with the core values of our programs,” said executive director Tess Carragher. “We know girls will need our lessons more than ever as they navigate their communities after the pandemic impact. Our council is committed to standing up for our girls.”

Guided by the from the organization’s core value of expressing joy, optimism and gratitude, Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan recognized support for their 2020 season, including the United Way of Southwest Michigan, United Federal Credit Union, Midwest Family, The Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, The Pokagon Fund, The DeGroot Family Foundation, St. Joseph County United Way, Berrien Community Foundation, the Rotary Club of South Haven, AEP-Cook Nuclear, Bronson, Wightman, Kruggel Lawton CPAs, Insurance Management Service, Whelan & Company, Silver Beach Pizza, All-Star Family Chiropractic, St. John’s ELCA Church in Baroda, Spectrum Lakeland Health, Southwestern Michigan College, and Café Julia, as well as their team of SoleMates, and the donors that meet the needs of the girls.

More information can be found on their website, gotrswmi.org, Facebook, and Instagram.