In these COVID-dominated times, it seems as though all of our normal rhythms and routines have been disrupted; many seem permanently imperiled. At the Y, we have lots of annual rituals that we hold dear. Now that the temperatures have cooled off a bit and we get set to welcome the fall season tomorrow, perhaps our most visible and celebrated annual ritual is upon us and, despite everything, we are joyfully moving forward with our annual Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K!
The most obvious and prudent concession to COVID for this year will be that it is a virtual event, which simply means registrants will run or walk on the course and at the time of their choice, anytime during the entire week of Thanksgiving (November 22nd to 29th). As always, all proceeds help the Y serve families and kids in our community who need us the most. The funds support all aspects of Y community life, including Y membership, camp, pre-school and school-based academic support and enrichment programs. Registrants can be timed if they so choose and of course everyone gets this year’s eagerly anticipated 2020 Y Turkey Trot Charity 5k shirt (unless you're a dog, in which case you get a stylish designer bandana, which is sure to make you the envy of all the dogs on the block!)
Needless to say, strong community participation is even more important this year than ever before. The Y’s capacity to serve the extraordinary number of people and families impacted by the health and economic effects of the pandemic has been seriously limited due to a precipitous drop in our membership and program revenue. However, thanks to our community’s willingness to step up and fill a meaningful part of that gap with their charitable contributions, we have been able to serve in many new and unique ways those who are struggling and who need to know they are seen and cared for by a community united by compassion.
Participating in the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K is a simple and fun way your whole family can do something tangible during a time of year when thoughts about "gratitude" and "giving" are on everyone's mind.
I hope you will register to participate this year and help the cause. It's easy, healthy and a good way to rally your family and friends around something positive this Thanksgiving. Also, given that one doesn’t have to be in central Maryland to participate this year, it’s a unique opportunity to get friends and relatives from afar to register and participate no matter where they live. Who knows; maybe you’ll be able to start a new family tradition!
You may learn more or register by clicking here.
In addition to registering, there are other ways to help, including:
- You can click here to Register as a Y Fundraiser and earn some cool Y swag along with the intrinsic rewards that come from helping others!
- You can volunteer to help with Y Turkey Trot packet pickup or food drive support by clicking here.
If you have ever participated in the Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K then you know what a great feeling it is to mobilize your family and friends to get outside on a beautiful fall day (the eight day window to complete the event this year guarantees that!) and walk or run for a good cause.
Please join in. The Y and our community need you.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland