Celebrating Our 2026 Remarkable Volunteers

At the heart of Girls on the Run is a community of supporters who believe in and invest in girls. Whether they coach, volunteer, fundraise, or promote our work in the community, these champions are critical to bringing our mission to life.

Since 2018, Girls on the Run International has recognized volunteers who have made extraordinary contributions to the work of their local councils. This year, we are proud to celebrate two Remarkable Volunteer Award recipients in our GOTRRI community.

Remarkable Coach: Rachael DeCosta

For 11 years and counting, Coach Rachael DeCosta has demonstrated unwavering dedication, passion, and impact in her role as a Girls on the Run Head Coach. She has coached more than 250 girls, encouraging them to be confident and thoughtful while helping them develop the courage to express their emotions, ideas, and individuality.

Her joyful spirit and genuine care enrich every practice and inspire others to step into volunteer roles as well. Rachael has extended her impact beyond her own team and intentionally helped cultivate the next generation of Girls on the Run leaders by mentoring eight fellow coaches.

Rachael’s influence as both a coach and teacher extends into the broader school community. By reinforcing Girls on the Run tools and core vocabulary throughout the school, she helps participants and their classmates carry lessons of respect, confidence, and inclusion into their daily lives, both at school and at home.

Rachael’s legacy as a coach is both lasting and deeply meaningful. It lives on in the confidence and character of the girls she has coached, in the dedication of the coaches she has mentored, in the inclusive culture she has helped foster within her school, and in her own journey as an educator and leader in our community. Her contributions have been truly life-changing, and the impact of her service will continue to be felt for many years to come.

Remarkable Council Supporter: Roberta Butler

Roberta Butler joined the Girls on the Run Rhode Island Board of Directors in 2020, bringing valuable leadership and experience at a pivotal time for the organization. Amid unprecedented uncertainty, Roberta brought steady, knowledgeable guidance and structure to the board. She strengthened development efforts, built community support, and connected GOTRRI with people and organizations who also believe in the potential of every girl.

Roberta leads by example, remaining deeply committed to our mission even after her board service ended. A superstar volunteer and philanthropic amplifier, she inspires others to support Girls on the Run and exemplifies what it means to be a council supporter.

The Community Behind Our Mission

Rachael and Roberta remind us that getting involved with and supporting Girls on the Run can take many forms. It can be a coach who helps a girl believe in herself, a mentor who encourages another volunteer to lead, or a community champion who rallies people around our mission.

Congratulations to Rachael and Roberta on this well-deserved recognition. We’re deeply grateful for their lasting impact on the girls we serve, our organization, and the broader GOTRRI community.