In May 2016, Gilmore passed away from breast cancer when she was 41 years old.
Girls on the Run in the Triangle area created the #CarrieOn Awards this year in honor of Gilmore.
Juliellen Simpson-Vos, executive director of Girls on the Run of the Triangle, said she was one of Gilmore’s good friends. She wanted to do something to honor Gilmore’s legacy of community involvement.
“Carrie was so involved with community service and she raised her daughters to want to give back and to recognize how important community service, compassion and contribution is, which are part of the pillars of girls on the run,” she said.
The #CarrieOn Award is given to three girls who participate in the organization. There is a winner from each age group: elementary school, middle school and rising juniors and seniors in high school.
Elementary and middle school winners get scholarships to participate in Girls on the Run, as well a monetary award that goes to a non-profit of their choice. The high school winner receives a $1,000 scholarship for college and $500 that they donate to a nonprofit of their choice.
This year’s winners were elementary school student Elizabeth Boltz, middle school student Julia Boltz and high school student Lee Ann Lucas.
Sisters Julia and Elizabeth decided to apply for the award because of their friendship with Gilmore’s daughters.