Lily Kazemi
Reporter
On Sunday, November 21, the 7th Annual New Canaan Turkey Trot was held at Irwin Park. Participants partook in a 3k run around the park and gave donations to the Norwalk Emergency Shelter. The Turkey Trot aims to provide funds for the shelter, as well as clothing items. “[The shelter is] big on collecting coats and gloves, which we also collect,” Chairman senior Erin Markey said.
The Turkey Trot began with complimentary coffee, donuts, and apple cider for the runners. Erin, standing next to Vice-President Devin McVeigh and Treasurer Kelly Clark, kicked it off by saying a few words then introducing Scott Pierson to the crowd, who explained the situation at the Norwalk Emergency Shelter. “Your donations help to buy turkeys, so the few hundred people who are [at the shelter]for Thanksgiving Day can have a home-cooked meal, all done by volunteers, so we are truly grateful for [the turnout],” he said.
The runners were led in their warm-up by a personal trainer, and three winners were recognized. Taking home first place in the run was Dana Perry, followed closely by Aaron Alexander for second and Patrick Vanderloo for third. Prizes were awarded to the winners, including two at-home lessons from a personal trainer, the same one who led the warm-up.
The organization, created by the Clark family, allows people of different ages and athletic abilities to participate. “Anyone can participate, it’s open to all ages. The more people who we can get to participate, the better,” Erin said.
While Erin thought the Turkey Trot was “wonderful” to organize, there was some difficulty with recruitment, a task made easier by online advertising. “It’s great because the Clark family created a website that makes it easier to recruit people, which is the hardest part of planning,” Erin said.
Alumna Emily Walsh, one of the runners at this year’s event, agrees that the internet was a useful way to spread the word about the Turkey Trot. “I saw the Facebook event, which sparked my interest,” she said. “It was a great way to inform us of what’s going on – though I graduated last year, I still found out about it.”
Dolly Meckler, another alumna, thought that the Turkey Trot was a unique way both to contribute to the shelter and to exercise. “[I] really wanted to support the cause and get a workout from it!” she said.
Others became involved through school clubs that encouraged participation in the event, not only to benefit the shelter, but also for the park itself. “I signed up for the community service hours with [SLOBS], we walk and then clean up the park afterward,” sophomore Timmy Goetz said.
According to Norwalk Emergency Shelter Representative Scott Pierson, 90 cents from every dollar raised by the organization is used to provide the services that the shelter offers such as food, clothing, and a place to sleep. “Any of the funds that are raised that are more than the cost of the turkeys are put towards the operations,” he said.
The shelter has a soup kitchen, and provides a secure environment for men, women, and children who do not have homes. According to their website, approximately 91 people stay with at the Norwalk Emergency Shelter every night.
For more information about the shelter and what you can do to volunteer for the cause, visit norwalkemergencyshelter.org.
Photos by Lily Kazemi
