Granor Farm to Host Benefit Dinner for Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan

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An intimate farm-to-table evening supporting confidence, health and life skills for local girls

A unique fundraising dinner at Granor Farm in Three Oaks this January will bring together fine dining, community philanthropy and a mission focused squarely on helping young girls thrive.

On January 23, Granor Farm will host a Community Benefit Dinner in support of Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan, a nonprofit that works with elementary and middle-school girls to build confidence, emotional resilience and healthy habits through an evidence-based program that blends movement with life-skills education.

The evening is designed as a high-end, small-group dining experience — and a meaningful way to support a local organization making a quiet but lasting impact across Southwest Michigan.


What Is Girls on the Run?

More than running — it’s about confidence, connection and resilience

Girls on the Run (often called GOTR) is a girl-centered youth development program serving girls in third through eighth grades. While running is part of the experience, it’s not the primary focus.

Instead, the program uses physical activity as a vehicle to help girls:

  • Build confidence

  • Develop social and emotional life skills

  • Learn healthy ways to handle stress and emotions

  • Discover joy in movement

  • Strengthen positive relationships

The program is delivered after school by trained volunteer coaches, most of whom are women, using a curriculum designed specifically around the needs and voices of girls. Sessions take place in a team environment where participation, inclusion and personal growth matter more than competition or outcomes.

The Southwest Michigan chapter has served girls in Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties since 2011, reaching thousands of participants and continuing to grow as demand increases.


Why Programs Like This Matter

Addressing challenges girls face — early and intentionally

Research consistently shows that girls’ confidence often begins to decline as they approach adolescence. At the same time, fewer than one in five girls meet recommended daily physical activity levels, and mental-health challenges among young people continue to rise.

Girls on the Run addresses those realities head-on — not with lectures or pressure, but by creating spaces where girls feel heard, supported and capable. The program emphasizes effort, self-awareness and goal-setting, helping girls carry those skills well beyond the program itself.


The Granor Farm Experience

A thoughtfully curated evening in a unique setting

The benefit dinner will take place in Granor Farm’s private Botanical Dining Room, overlooking the farm’s greenhouse. Guests will be welcomed with a beverage and brief remarks from Colby Wittman, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan, who will share insight into the organization’s local impact.

The evening features a multi-course, farm-to-table dinner, crafted by Granor’s culinary team using ingredients grown on site whenever possible. Beverage pairings are included.

Granor Farm, located in Three Oaks, has become known regionally for its immersive dining experiences and seasonal farm store. Its Community Benefit Dinner series is a newer offering, designed to spotlight nonprofits doing meaningful work while giving guests a memorable, high-touch experience.


Tickets and Event Details

A night out with purpose

  • Date: January 23

  • Time: Evening seating, beginning around 6:30 p.m.

  • Location: Granor Farm, Three Oaks

  • Tickets: $212.80 per person

The ticket price includes the full dining experience, beverage pairings, tax and gratuity, along with a $100 donation directly supporting Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan. Seating is limited, and advance reservations are required.


Why This Event Stands Out

Supporting local girls in a meaningful, memorable way

For those looking to support a small but impactful local nonprofit — especially one focused specifically on girls — this event offers a rare combination of purpose and experience. It’s a chance to enjoy exceptional food, learn about a program changing young lives, and help ensure that more girls across Southwest Michigan have access to the tools they need to grow into confident, healthy and resilient young women.

For more information on Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan, visit gotrswmi.org, and to reserve your seats for the benefit dinner, visit granorfarm.com/tickets and select Community Benefit Dinner: Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan – Botanical Dining Room.

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