Bristow Turkey Trot Will Fund Thanksgiving and Other Meals for Local Families

Published On: November 14, 2018Categories: Schools, Sports

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Third annual Bristow Turkey Trot. Photo credit: Jodie Smith (courtesy photo)

The third annual Turkey Trot was held Friday afternoon at the West Hartford School.

By Ronni Newton

Nineteen Bristow families will be able to have a Thanksgiving feast this year, or have help with other food needs, and countless other West Hartford families will also benefit from funds raised at the third annual Turkey Trot.

“It was a great day promoting physical activity, family, and community,” said Bristow Middle School Physical Education and Health teacher Jared Leghorn, who along with PE team members Jodie Smith and Troy Jones organized the 1-mile fun run through the neighborhood as well as the related activities.

Leghorn said that there were more than 170 participants in the Turkey Trot this year, up from 120 in 2017. The event raised more than $3,500, and netted about $2,500 which will go directly to 19 Bristow families for Thanksgiving.

The first year the event raised $1,350, and last year’s total was $1,800. The Physical Education team started the event in 2016 as a way to promote physical activity for students and families while at the same time giving back directly to Bristow’s small and tight-knit community.

This year a food drive was held in advance of Turkey Trot day, and hundreds of items were collected, Leghorn said. There was a raffle for a $50 Visa gift card, and donors to the food drive received one entrant per item donated.

Following the run, the community celebrated in the cafeteria, enjoying a Turkey Trot cake and other treats.

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