Miles 4 Mentors is a nonprofit organization serving children and families in Willmar and the surrounding West Central Minnesota area. We help kids access youth sports, activities, running events, equipment, and other opportunities that encourage active, healthy lives. Our goal is to remove barriers, create opportunities, and help children build confidence, healthy habits, and a sense of belonging through participation.

Miles 4 Mentors supports a wide variety of youth sports and activities, from team sports such as soccer, basketball, and baseball to activities like swimming, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, camps, and more. Depending on the situation, scholarship assistance may help cover registration fees, equipment, uniforms, athletic shoes, or other expenses needed for a child to participate. Because every request is different, families are encouraged to contact us with questions about a specific activity or need.

Miles 4 Mentors was founded in 2017 by Paul Cool with a vision of helping local children experience the physical, emotional, and social benefits of running, sports, and an active lifestyle.What began as an idea to get more kids moving has grown into a community-supported organization offering Fun Runs, scholarships, equipment assistance, and other opportunities for children and families throughout the area. You can learn more about how Miles 4 Mentors began on our About Us page.

Everything we do is rooted in a few simple beliefs:

• Opportunity: Every child deserves the chance to participate and be included.
• Encouragement: Kids grow when they are supported, challenged, and reminded of what they can accomplish.
• Community: Lasting impact happens when families, volunteers, businesses, donors, and organizations work together.
• Well-Being: Physical activity can support healthy bodies, healthy minds, confidence, and lifelong habits.
• Stewardship: We take seriously the trust placed in us by the families we serve and the people who support our mission.

The Fun Run series are family-friendly, noncompetitive events designed to make running fun and accessible for kids. Rather than focusing on speed or winning, the emphasis is on participating, getting active, building confidence, and enjoying the experience. Throughout the season, we partner with local organizations and events to give children the opportunity to run in a variety of fun settings. Visit our Events page for information about upcoming Fun Runs and registration when the new season is announced.

Our Pay to Play Scholarships help children whose families may need financial assistance with the cost of participating in sports and activities. Assistance may be available for participation fees, equipment, uniforms, athletic shoes, and other necessary expenses. Applications are reviewed individually, and awards depend on eligibility, need, available funding, and the circumstances of each request.

If you have questions about applying—or aren’t sure whether your child’s activity qualifies—please reach out. We would much rather have a family ask than assume help isn’t available. If you need assistance with your scholarship application, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to help and can provide guidance on the application process, answer any questions you may have, and ensure that your application is complete. If you are awarded a scholarship, you will be notified via email and/or phone, depending on the contact information provided in your application. In most cases, scholarship funds can be used to cover registration fees, equipment, uniforms, and other necessary expenses related to the youth sport or activity.

If you know someone who may benefit from a Miles 4 Mentors scholarship, you can refer them to our website or provide them with our contact information. You can also encourage them to complete an application. Please note that referrals do not guarantee a scholarship, and all applicants will be evaluated based on the established criteria.

There are lots of ways to be part of Miles 4 Mentors. You can volunteer at a Fun Run or community event, make a financial contribution, become a sponsor or community partner, help with fundraising, or share our mission with families who may benefit from our programs. We also welcome people who want to become more involved behind the scenes, including committee and board service when opportunities are available. Whether you give time, resources, expertise, or financial support, you’re helping create more opportunities for local kids.

Miles 4 Mentors believes every child deserves to feel welcome, valued, and included. We work to make sports, activities, and our programs accessible to children and families from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. A central part of our mission is reducing financial barriers that can prevent children from participating. At our events and through our programs, we strive to create an encouraging environment where kids can take part, be themselves, and experience the confidence and connection that come from being included.

Miles 4 Mentors is led by our president and board of directors, a group of community members who share a commitment to our mission and the children and families we serve. Board members help guide the organization, oversee programs and resources, build community partnerships, and support the events and initiatives that make our work possible. You can meet our current board members on the About Us page. If you have any questions for the board, please feel free to contact us.

Miles 4 Mentors is supported through individual donations, business sponsorships, fundraising, grants, and community partnerships. Those funds help us provide financial assistance for youth sports and activities, athletic shoes and equipment, our Fun Run Series, and other programs that directly support local children. Funds also help cover the necessary costs of operating the organization and making those programs possible. We are grateful for every gift entrusted to us and are committed to using those resources thoughtfully in support of our mission.

The easiest way to keep up with Miles 4 Mentors is to visit our website and follow us on social media. We share information about upcoming Fun Runs, programs, scholarship opportunities, community events, success stories, and ways to get involved throughout the year. During Fun Run season, our Events page is the best place to find current schedules and registration information. To learn about upcoming events and initiatives for Miles 4 Mentors, please contact us for information on fundraising events, community programs, and other opportunities to get involved.

The impact goes well beyond getting kids onto a field, court, trail, or starting line. Participation in sports and physical activity can help children build confidence, friendships, teamwork, perseverance, healthy habits, and a sense of accomplishment. By helping remove barriers to participation, Miles 4 Mentors gives more local children the chance to experience those benefits for themselves. Our volunteers make that possible. Whether they’re cheering on a young runner, helping at an event, working behind the scenes, or simply making a child feel welcome, they help create the positive experiences at the heart of our mission.

Miles 4 Mentors helps connect local children and families with opportunities to participate and the support needed to make those opportunities possible. That may include financial assistance with activity fees, athletic shoes and equipment, information about local programs, Fun Run opportunities, and connections with community resources and supportive adults. Many of the barriers families face are practical ones—costs, equipment, or simply not knowing where to turn. We want Miles 4 Mentors to be a place families feel comfortable reaching out to when a child wants to participate but something is standing in the way.

Just ask! If you don’t see the answer you need here, please contact us. Whether you have a question about scholarships, Fun Runs, volunteering, donations, sponsorships, or something else entirely, we’ll be happy to help point you in the right direction.