"Our jobs – yours and mine – are to give girls back their bodies, their voices, and their spirits.  To take them back from the negative stereotypes and messages in the media.  To take them back from the should and ought to people.  To put their uniqueness, their individuality, their girlness at the core of all we do for them and with them.  To provide as many opportunities as possible for our girls to experience genuine acceptance of themselves, just as they are."  Molly Barker (Founder of Girls on the Run)

Medals4Mettle (M4M) is a non-profit organization founded in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2005.  Its mission is to celebrate and reward the individual and collective courage of all human beings by facilitating the gifting of marathon, 1/2 marathon, and triathlon finisher's medals from people who have demonstrated similar mettle or courage.  Certainly everyone cannot run a marathon or compete in a triathlon, but people who are battling life-threatening illnesses and severe disabilities demonstrate mettle everyday. The recipients can be any age and might have exhibited such mettle by dealing with disease, handicaps or any similar challenge. Athletes around the world who have won medals, give their medals to Medals4Mettle. Then the nationwide network of physicians and local M4M Chapters award these medals to those who might not be able to run a marathon or compete in triathlon, but are in their own marathon to continue to live their life.  As marathoners and triathletes run through the streets, large crowds cheer the runners for their effort, and these same runners cheer the wheelchair competitors that they may pass on the course.  Medals4Mettle lets these runners/triathletes, healthy enough to compete in such an event, to return the cheers to those who have supported them.  Medals4Mettle celebrates our collective human courage and our innate desire to reward and support each other as we all face life’s challenges.

Up and Running is proud to be a local Medals4Mettle sponsor.  We are partnering with Dayton Children's Hospital to donate your medals. Stop by Up and Running and donate your medal with a personalized message for the recipient.  We will share your story surrounding what the medal means to you with the child recipient.  Also, if you are interested in joining Up and Running with the donation of medals, leave your name and contact information with an Up and Running staff member or contact us via email.

 

The Other Place provides a comprehensive continuum of care and services to persons in Dayton and  Montgomery County who are at risk of homelessness, who are currently homeless, and who have previously been homeless.  The Other Place also provide advocacy, education and technical assistance in and beyond the western Ohio region.  

Up and Running proudly takes part in supporting the local communities of Dayton, OH.  We encourage you to help us support The Other Place.  Bring in your running shoes that are high in mileage and sitting in your closest, and we will donate these shoes to individuals at The Other Place.  We donate shoes on a monthly basis. 

Up and Running is proud to be a member of the Dayton Outdoor Recreation Retailers Association.  This is a group of locally-owned, independent outdoor specialty retailers. "We all began our businesses because of the passion we have for the outdoor activities we participate in.  Our passion includes helping others learn more about these activities, so they may share in the enjoyment of the outdoors."

LOOKING 4 YOUR NEXT OUTDOOR ACTIVITY OR EVENT?  Check out the website at go4theoutdoors.com.  You may also get to this link from the UAR site under the get involved section and sub-section links.  Along with Up and Running's website, you will find many local events at this website for outdoor junkies of all interests!!  Shop local and venture outside 4 seasons a year!