A HOLIDAY WARMUP — Many turned out on Thursday morning to walk or run in the eighth-annual T-Town Turkey Trot, a Toronto tradition that raises money for the Helping Hands Food Pantry. This year’s event drew 83 participants and raised $3,000. — Warren Scott
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TORONTO — While the temperature on Thanksgiving morning was a bit cold, 83 area residents got their blood pumping by taking a 3.1-mile run or walk along Toronto streets while helping to raise $3,000 for the Helping Hands Food Pantry.
The amount includes $1,000 donated by J.E. Foster Funeral Homes, noted Amanda Yazbek, organizer of the T-Town Turkey Trot, who estimated it will allow the charity to provide three months of food to 100 families.
She said it’s been a good season for the food pantry, which was able to provide Thanksgiving food for more than 100 families thanks in large part to the citywide canned good collection conducted by Boy Scout Troop 41 and Cub Scout Pack 41 and a nonperishable food drive held at Toronto Elementary School.
In its eighth year, the race has become a holiday tradition for some as well as an opportunity to express their gratitude for the blessings in their own lives.
“That’s the reason we come out — to give back to the community,” said Galen Wade of Mingo Junction as he prepared for the 5K run-walk’s start on North River Avenue.
Wade said he and his wife, Tambi, frequently run together in obstacle course races and other events but had scaled back their participation this year due to injuries.
“Our goal today is just to finish,” he said.
“But if there’s three races we’re going to do, it’s the Campbell-Dickinson, the Biasi-Shuma and the Turkey Trot,” Wade said, referring to two other Toronto runs that also support local charities.
Many family members and friends gathered together to participate.
It was the first Turkey Trot for Chris and Kristin Martaus of Toronto, who brought their 4-month-old daughter, Audra, who rested peacefully while wrapped in blankets in a stroller.
“I just got off from work at at 6 o’clock,” said Chris, as he awaited the race’s 8 a.m. start time. “When this is over, we will be getting a nap.”
The pair said the run may become a family tradition, however.
Also first-timers were Elizabeth and Richard Donnelly, also of Toronto, who participated with their two daughters and a friend.
Elizabeth said, “This is our first year, trying it out. Our daughters wanted to do it, and we thought it would be a great way to start the day.”
“And it’s for a great cause,” added Richard.
Yazbek said she was impressed by the community’s generosity, noting a few people had shown up late for the race and came solely to make donations to the food pantry.
Several members of the Helping Hands Food Pantry board of directors were on hand to assist with the race.
Yazbek, who chairs the board, wasn’t involved with the charity when she initiated the event several years ago, thinking it would be nice “to have something on Thanksgiving morning that would give back to the community.”
She said she’s tried to keep it short and casual, so participants can return quickly to their holiday preparations and celebrations.
There’s no registration fee, but participants and other supporters who donated $20 or more were entered into drawings for gift cards and baskets donated by various supporters.