#givingback: Randy James and GOTR – more than running

In our culture series, #givingback at SalesPage, we highlight the different ways that members of our team are involved in their communities. One of our core values is passion, and we believe in the power of our people to be a positive force within their team and community.

Randy James with daughters at GOTR of Greater Kalamazoo 5k

Team Spotlight: Randy James

We’re recognizing team member Randy James, Senior System Administrator at SalesPage by day and, in his free time, a community college professor, musician, and volunteer and supporter of Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Greater Kalamazoo.

Girls on the Run is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. GOTR of Greater Kalamazoo was established in 2001 and has grown to serve nearly 1400 girls at over 50 locations.

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Randy remembers how we first became aware of GOTR, seeing a 5k race with a bunch of elementary school girls in bright colors and tutus running through the streets of Kalamazoo. It wasn’t until his third-grader came home with a flyer that Randy got involved, signing up as a volunteer coach. Initially, he saw it as an opportunity to have more bonding time with his daughter, but he got much more from the experience. It was during coach training when he realized GOTR is more than running. There is a curriculum that incorporates physical activity with life skills—from how to navigate emotions to understanding yourself and how you are part of a community. All of these lessons and training culminate with a community impact project, practice race, and 5k.

For their community impact project, Randy and fellow GOTR teams gathered household supplies, made tie blankets, and wrote inspirational cards for area refugee families.

Randy coached for several years and, this year, volunteered with his daughters, now both GOTR graduates, to hand out medals at the 5k race. Randy keeps coming back and supporting GOTR because of the impact he’s seen on himself and the girls.

Randy James

“If you can keep the attention of 15 girls, you can run any meeting in any corporation. It’s a transformative experience to capture attention and deliver a message and have it resonate.”

Randy James

He remembers one girl, his first-year coaching, that was really quiet. He saw how the curriculum and community of girls, family, and GOTR volunteers helped her open up to fellow teammates, make friends, build confidence, and cross that finish line. Each year he sees girls like this, which inspires him to continue to support the organization. Earlier this year, Randy had an opportunity to nominate and present GOTR for a donation consideration from the Kalamazoo County chapter of Guys Who Give. After sharing his GOTR story, the group was moved – donating over $16,000 to GOTR.

Randy James with the Kalamazoo Chapter of Guys Who Give delivered a donation to GOTR of Greater Kalamazoo

Thank you, Randy, for #givingback and impacting our community!

The opinions expressed here are solely my opinions and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Girls on the Run International nor Girls on the Run Greater Kalamazoo.