Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/946983
12 WAC Magazine | wac.net Girl power Empowering girls to grow into confident, resilient and cou- rageous young women is the mission of ZGiRLS, a nonprofit organization that will hold its fundraising gala on ursday, March 22, in the Crystal Ballroom. e WAC has partnered with ZGiRLS on the event, which is dedicated to helping ZGiRLS reach its goal of supporting 1,000 girls in 2018. Started by former Olympic and college athletes, ZGiRLS provides confidence-building and mentorship programs to girls ages 11–16 through a focus on sports, helping them grow into successful team members and citizens. "e WAC is honored to partner with ZGiRLS on this event," says Wayne Milner, WAC Senior Vice President Athletics, Special Projects & Community Partners. "We share their passion for promoting programs and skills geared toward mentoring young female athletes." If you're interested in supporting ZGiRLS or attending the gala, please contact Jilyne Higgins at jilyne@zgirls.org. e WAC's annual Special Olympics Washington Powerliing Invitational will take place on Saturday, May 12, in group fitness studios on the 4th Floor. Less than two months later, the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games are com- ing to Seattle. "is is a huge year for these great athletes in Seattle," says WAC Senior Vice President Athletics, Special Proj- ects & Community Partners Wayne Milner, who sits on the board of Spe- cial Olympics Washington and helped recruit the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games to the city. e national games will take place July 1–6, with much of the action cen- tered at the University of Washington. Athletes will begin arriving in the final days of June, and the opening ceremony will take place Sunday, July 1, at Husky Stadium. Volunteers can still sign up to help at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. Visit specialolympicsusagames.org for more information. To volunteer at the Powerliing Invitational at the WAC, contact Wayne at wmilner@wac.net. J A N E G P H O T O G R A P H Y D A V I D R Y D E R first take empowering girls / special olympics A very special summer