1 minute read
26th Annual Turkey Trot Benefits all Walnut Creek Schools and other nonprofits
www.NorthgateLivingCA.com
@NorthgateLivingCA
By Rachel Galaraga, RISE Manager
The Forma Gym Turkey Trot is a great Thanksgiving Day tradition for the entire family. Registration fees from our participants and generous donations from our community partners go directly to the Walnut Creek Education Foundation, P.E.A.K. Education Foundation, Wellness in Action, the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, the Rollins Family Foundation, and the Forma Kids Foundation. We also have an annual Turkey Tuesday giveaway where we give away 500 turkeys and all the fixings to needy families in East Oakland.
The Forma Gym Turkey Trot, a 5K or 10K run/walk, originally started as a fun way to encourage our health club members and their families “to move their feet before they eat” on Thanksgiving morning, but has evolved from that concept into a tremendously successful charity event. The scenic course, which winds through beautiful Downtown Walnut Creek, offers the participants an opportunity to enjoy a first-class running event in one of the finest cities in Northern California.
Ian McLaughlin completes Turkey Trot 2 years after suffering a stroke.
Photo credit Facchino Photography
This year a special participant was Walnut Creek resident Ian McLaughlin, who participated for his first time since his stroke two years ago. He and his family had participated for many years in the Turkey Trot before his stroke, and Ian was recommended to the RISE Paralysis Recovery Center at Forma. Through RISE he has increased his strength and aerobic capacity and enjoys using the “Expresso” recumbent bike at Forma to play games & work on coordination. All of his hard work recovering is paying off, and his sense of accomplishment was evident as he crossed the finish line.
Photo credit Facchino Photography
The Turkey Trot has raised over $500,000 for local charities since its inception.
