About the group:

Nationwide program founded in 1996. Girls on the Run International is the parent organization of more than 120 Girls on the Run councils across the United States and Canada. Educates and prepares girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Web site: www.girlsontherun.org. Nonprofit organization.

Mission: Girls on the Run is a character development program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Its curriculum addresses all aspects of girl's development - their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being.

Special events: Girls on the Run International establishes, trains and supports a network of community-level councils with local volunteers. The volunteers serve as role models to the girls through coaching the 12-week, 24-lesson curricula. The curriculum is delivered through school programs, recreation centers and nonprofit settings. A kick-off fundraiser to establish a Lake County Chapter is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bean Counters Coffee House, 8413 Kennedy Ave. in Highland. The vendor fair will include Pampered Chef, Market Day Gourmet, Arbonne, handmade jewelry, candles and more. Proceeds will fund a coach's training in North Carolina. The Lake County chapter will meet regularly and participate in Highland's Pumpkin Prance 5K walk or run in the fall.

Advice: "Being a teacher, I see lots of girls who struggle with self-esteem issues and it's always nice to have an after-school program to teach them we're there for them, we've gone through some of the same issues," said Secretary Christine Alms.

How to get involved: Girls on the Run seeks sponsors. For more information on the vendor fair, contact Christine Alms at alms04@yahoo.com.

People might be surprised to know: "It's a nationwide program that not many people are aware of," Christine Alms said.

-SUE BERO, Times Correspondent