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What started as a make-do project during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic turned into an annual part of the En Ka Society’s fundraising efforts and a fun activity for all ages.
“We couldn’t have the fair in 2020 because of COVID, so we started our Turkey Trot 5K race,” says Sheffield Road resident Jennifer Warner, one of En Ka’s fundraising chairs. “Last year, we had 844 runners and the fees ($40 per adult and $20 for kids under 18) brought in around $18,000.
“Of course, it all depends on the weather,” she adds.
While runners are encouraged to register online, Warner says, “If it’s good weather, some runners just show up.”
Racers can also attend registration sessions at the Winchester Public Library’s large meeting room on Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., or on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The race is on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 27, and starts outside of the Town Hall auditorium at 10 a.m.
Warner explains the Turkey Trot is open to all abilities.
“We have runners, walkers, folks in wheelchairs, families, people pushing strollers, or accompanied by pets,” she says. “It’s a popular event, people know what we do and like to support us. We have a DJ at the start of the race, it’s very upbeat with lots of smiling people.”
Warner’s only been an En Ka member for a little over three years.
“Last year, I was so nervous running the Turkey Trot, but all the members pitch in,” she says.
When asked what En Ka does with the money, membership committee member Ginger Jo Hanson says, “We give grants to schools, to the fire and police departments, and we do ‘quiet giving’ via social workers for kids’ school trips, or to help after a house fire, or if someone needs help paying their rent. And we serve more than 300 families at our food pantry.”
Winchester resident Joyce Westner is one of the founders of Winchester News. She holds a degree in English and journalism from Northeastern University. If you have a suggestion for either a Meet the Artist or Helpers Among Us resident, email editor@winchesternews.org.
