Girls on the Run of Snohomish County raised $55,000 during its recent Sneaker Soirée event.

The funds raised will ensure that the program can reach interested girls regardless of their family’s financial status.

“Because of our incredible supporters, we get the opportunity to empower more girls in our community to be their best selves and to make healthy decisions in their own lives,” said Megan Wolfe, Girls on the Run Snohomish County executive director. “I am extremely grateful for everyone who supports our mission to inspire girls to be healthy, joyful, and confident.”

The organization started in the Edmonds School District in 2015 with 40 girls in third through sixth grades. Since then, the program — which aims to build confident girls through a fun, experience-based curriculum that integrates running — has reached 1,600 girls in its first four years and expanded to 42 schools, including one private school, in seven school districts.

Girls on the Run has a goal of registering 900 girls in third through eighth grades in the spring 2020 season — an increase of 185 girls over spring 2019. Thanks to its successful fundraising, the organization will be able to offer financial aid to 50 percent of the girls and keep its registration fee low. The support also will help Girls on the Run provide running shoes and running clothes for participating girls in need and offer sports hijabs to the girls who need them.

Girls on the Run is an international program that meets in Snohomish County after school for 10 weeks each spring. Trained volunteer adult coaches present girls with strategies and skills for navigating through life — particularly through their pre-teen and adolescent years — and demonstrate the value of teamwork, healthy relationships, and fitness. Girls apply the lessons while running and finish the season with a 5K.

For information, visit girlsontherunsnoco.org.