The Girls on the Run organization is trying to raise money to fund scholarships for the upcoming program starting with quarters.

The Quarters Mania auction will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Charleston Country Club.

Beth Gillespie, the counsel director for Girls on the Run, said the organization would like to raise enough money to fund the 154 girls spread throughout five counties.

Gillespie said they have more than $2,700 in scholarship requests for their fall program to help cover the $100 per girl participation fee.

“We definitely want to be successful so that we can say yes to those requests,” Gillespie said.

Girls on the Run is an after school program with the goal of educating girls in grades three through eight.

The girls who participate in this program meet twice a week with volunteer coaches for a 10-week period.

Gillespie said each meeting focuses on a lesson to help the girl feel empowered.

The topics range from female portrayal in the media, body image, health, fitness, bullies, gossip and making a difference in the community.

She also said while the girls receive these lessons they are training to run a 5K race.

“We want the girls to know what it feels like to set a goal that feel like a bit of a stretch and work toward it and to successfully complete a 5K at the end of the 10 weeks,” Gillespie said.

This year’s 5K will take place on Nov. 10.

Gillespie said the program has grown from the 15 girls in the fall of 2011 to 57 in the spring and now close to 200 this fall.

Gillespie said if they do not raise enough money she hopes to raise money through donations from business and groups in the five counties included in this program.

Gillespie said they would like to include all the girls with an interest in the program.

“I am excited to spend time people in the community and them get a good idea about Girls on the Run and what we’re trying to do and what impact is going to be,” Gillespie said. “It’s just a lot of fun to get people together who support this program.”

Past Girls on the Run participants will attend the auction to share stories.

Tickets can be purchased at the Mattoon YMCA or at the door and will cost $10.

People can bid on items for 50 cents, ranging from one-hour massages, gift baskets, running tutus and gift cards.

The Charleston Country Club is located at 8355 Country Club Rd. in Charleston.

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.