by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Lisa Larsen from Pixabay.)
In a matter of hours, a local special event will illustrate many of the things for which I’m thankful, this Thanksgiving.
The 21st Annual Long Beach Turkey Trot, starting at 7:30 and 9:00 this morning, is a uniquely-Californian Thanksgiving celebration.
Technically, this is a 5K and 10K run (or walk, depending on your preference) along the beach.
But it’s so much more.
Tireless community activist/Long Beach “Chief Inspiration Officer” Justin Rudd creates a sense of community well-being, by hosting this and more than 60 other imaginative, impactful events, year-round, in Long Beach. Turkey Trot is just the one his nonprofit Community Action Team is doing today.
A sense of giving and sharing pervades C.A.T. events.
(Royalty-free image by Donna Spearman on Unsplash.)
Participants in Turkey Trot are asked to consider bringing canned goods and nonperishable food items to donate to the AIDS food store. Breakfast cereal, canned fruit, canned tuna, macaroni and cheese and peanut butter are all good candidates.
In addition, everyone is welcome–and treated with a sense of dignity and respect.
Children may participate in the 1/2 mile “Wingding”, leaving at 8:40 am, for ages 8 through 12, and 8:45 am for the smallest Turkey Trotters, ages 7 and younger. And while costumes are encouraged, participants are requested NOT to wear any Native American costumes on the course.
Now, what if you’re just now hearing about this?
(Royalty-free image by Annette from Pixabay.)
Well, if you’re in the Long Beach area and would like to participate, you still have time. Last-minute sign-ups will take place at the event this morning. Admission will be cash-only at the packet pickup location, at 1 Granada, and you’re requested to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to start time.
(Here’s a link for information about admission rates for adults and children. All proceeds go to support 501c3 Community Action Team for their events and projects, which include the Long Beach Giving Project, the monthly 30-minute Beach Cleanup and Operation Easter Basket.)
(Royalty-free image by Shane Cromer from Pixabay.)
And last but never least, is the fact that, on November 24th, those of us here in Long Beach get to see blue skies, a beautiful ocean, flowers blooming and a just-past-sunrise warm Thanksgiving morning.
For a kid experiencing the slate-gray November skies and biting winds of an East Coast Thanksgiving, decades ago, this was the stuff of dreams.
It still is. Happy Thanksgiving, and may yours be full of fun activity, blue skies and community.