WASHINGTON—An early morning Thanksgiving Day fun run along the Potomac River in Washington, raised $125,000 dollars for one of the city’s oldest and most respected organizations ministering to the homeless and hungry.
Participants at the West Potomac Park fund-raising event young and old, families and friends, and they ran, walked, or rolled along the 5-kilometer (3.11 miles) route to the finish line, where they were greeted by a furry turkey waving a wing for a high-five.
The eighth annual 5K Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger, organized by SOME (So Others Might Eat), enjoyed its biggest participation ever this year. Registration was sold out days before the event after the limit of 5,000 entrants was reached. Organizers felt that increased publicity as well as word of mouth had swelled the numbers.
“I feel very good that people turn up and want to do something about hunger and homelessness,” said SOME’s president of 32 years, the Rev. John Adams.
“When we first started the Turkey Trot, we only had about 100 entries,” said Adams.
Giving to the needy has become a Thanksgiving tradition for many Americans. Joining in a fun run as part of the giving tradition has also become surprising popular. At least five other races commenced this week throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area, including a Turkey Chase in Bethesda and a Cranberry Crawl in Alexandria.
Mimi Fitzgerald, 74 years old, started a family tradition of attending the SOME-sponsored Turkey Trot after getting to know Adams through her church.
“I like SOME because they help people to stand on their own feet,” she said.
The Fitzgeralds were twelve entrants this year. At 74, Mimi was the oldest, and 3-month old Colin Sample was the youngest. Three-year old Finn, wearing a “Trot for Hunger’”T-shirt like a dress, ran most of the way himself said his aunt Susan Fitzgerald.
Grandma Fitzgerald said it is important to reach out beyond yourself. “We have a lot, and it is important to share that,” she said.
“You gotta start off Thanksgiving in the right way before we all sit down together,” said aunt Susan.
The Turkey Trot is supported by a large number of corporate sponsors, including Mix 107.3. The Carson Show’s star, Carson was on site announcing the race winners and handing out prizes, which consisted of gift certificates, T-shirts, and reusable bags.
“This is an amazing event. it just turned out wonderfully, and by the grace of God it stopped raining. It always does. Thank goodness,” said Carson.
After the race, Adams was heading over to SOME’s dining hall on O Street so that he could help in preparing turkey dinner for their evening dinner guests.
SOME feeds hot meals to 900 people each day in their dining halls and outreach service. Other services include housing, hot showers and clothing, medical and dental, and counseling and job training. Around 5,000-6,000 volunteers get involved on a yearly basis.
There are 9,000 people living on the streets in Washington, D.C. Nearly a quarter of the city’s population, 110,000, live below the poverty line.
Adam says he is glad the Turkey Trot takes place in the heart of the capital so as to remind people that there is hunger in the capital and in the United States.
This year is SOME’s 40th anniversary. Founded in 1970 by the Rev. Horace McKenna and an interfaith group of priests and lay persons as a small soup kitchen, the organization has expanded steadily into a comprehensive social service organization.
Participants at the West Potomac Park fund-raising event young and old, families and friends, and they ran, walked, or rolled along the 5-kilometer (3.11 miles) route to the finish line, where they were greeted by a furry turkey waving a wing for a high-five.
The eighth annual 5K Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger, organized by SOME (So Others Might Eat), enjoyed its biggest participation ever this year. Registration was sold out days before the event after the limit of 5,000 entrants was reached. Organizers felt that increased publicity as well as word of mouth had swelled the numbers.
“I feel very good that people turn up and want to do something about hunger and homelessness,” said SOME’s president of 32 years, the Rev. John Adams.
“When we first started the Turkey Trot, we only had about 100 entries,” said Adams.
Giving to the needy has become a Thanksgiving tradition for many Americans. Joining in a fun run as part of the giving tradition has also become surprising popular. At least five other races commenced this week throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area, including a Turkey Chase in Bethesda and a Cranberry Crawl in Alexandria.
Mimi Fitzgerald, 74 years old, started a family tradition of attending the SOME-sponsored Turkey Trot after getting to know Adams through her church.
“I like SOME because they help people to stand on their own feet,” she said.
The Fitzgeralds were twelve entrants this year. At 74, Mimi was the oldest, and 3-month old Colin Sample was the youngest. Three-year old Finn, wearing a “Trot for Hunger’”T-shirt like a dress, ran most of the way himself said his aunt Susan Fitzgerald.
Grandma Fitzgerald said it is important to reach out beyond yourself. “We have a lot, and it is important to share that,” she said.
“You gotta start off Thanksgiving in the right way before we all sit down together,” said aunt Susan.
The Turkey Trot is supported by a large number of corporate sponsors, including Mix 107.3. The Carson Show’s star, Carson was on site announcing the race winners and handing out prizes, which consisted of gift certificates, T-shirts, and reusable bags.
“This is an amazing event. it just turned out wonderfully, and by the grace of God it stopped raining. It always does. Thank goodness,” said Carson.
After the race, Adams was heading over to SOME’s dining hall on O Street so that he could help in preparing turkey dinner for their evening dinner guests.
SOME feeds hot meals to 900 people each day in their dining halls and outreach service. Other services include housing, hot showers and clothing, medical and dental, and counseling and job training. Around 5,000-6,000 volunteers get involved on a yearly basis.
There are 9,000 people living on the streets in Washington, D.C. Nearly a quarter of the city’s population, 110,000, live below the poverty line.
Adam says he is glad the Turkey Trot takes place in the heart of the capital so as to remind people that there is hunger in the capital and in the United States.
This year is SOME’s 40th anniversary. Founded in 1970 by the Rev. Horace McKenna and an interfaith group of priests and lay persons as a small soup kitchen, the organization has expanded steadily into a comprehensive social service organization.
Friends Read Free