For its 10th year, the popular Greenwich Alliance for Education’s Turkey Trot is shifting from a one-day 5K fun run to a month-long – and multi-faceted – fitness challenge fundraiser benefiting Greenwich Public School programs.
“COVID-related concerns have caused us to reimagine our annual Turkey Trot for 2020,” said Julie Faryniarz, Executive Director, Greenwich Alliance for Education. “While our format will be different this year, our goals remain the same: raising funds for Alliance programs that fund innovation, expand opportunities and inspire teachers to foster educational success for Greenwich Public School students.”
In homage to the Turkey Trot’s traditional emphasis on exercise, the 2020 event will feature a month-long fitness challenge with fun events, prizes and competitions. During the month of November, participants are encouraged to log “miles” by running, walking or biking – anywhere – while wearing a Turkey Trot t-shirt. Participants who snap and post photos tagged with #GreenwichAllianceTurkeyTrot2020 will qualify to win prizes.
Adding to this year’s excitement, “Funky Turkeys,” made out of repurposed items as part of Alliance’s Developing Artist grant, and the event’s “Tom the Turkey” mascot will be making guest appearances around town.
Online registration for the event opens October 4 at www.greenwichalliance.org. Costs are $30 per adult (age 14+) and $15 per child. All who register by October 29 will receive a Turkey Trot t-shirt and swag bag, and the first 500 overall registrants will receive a Greenwich Alliance for Education neck gaiter.
As in past years, the Greenwich school with the highest number of registrants will receive a $500 gift card for physical education purchases. In 2019, the winner was Julian Curtiss School.
Shirts and bags will be distributed starting on Sunday, November 1, at a special kick-off event at Cadillac of Greenwich; and a Turkey Trot Celebration Day event, on Saturday, November 28, marks the official end of the month-long fundraiser. Both events will be safely staged in adherence with social distancing requirements. Complete details will be available soon.
Lead sponsors for the 2020 Turkey Trot are: 400 Capital Management; Cadillac of Greenwich; Cecilia Fernandez, Anderson Associates; Coldwell Banker Global Luxury; Cynthia DeRiemer – Coldwell Banker; Ellington Management Group LLC; First County Bank; General Atlantic; Greenwich Braces; hint, Inc.; JDF, LLC; MarketAxess; Morgan Stanley /Thomas Markey, Financial Advisor; Samuel Owen Gallery; and The Richman Group. Visit the Greenwich Alliance Education website for a full listing of sponsors.
The Turkey Trot is the Greenwich Alliance for Education’s largest fundraising event. Local businesses interested in sponsorships – both cash or in-kind – should contact Julie Faryniarz at [email protected].
Founded in 2006 as a way for the Greenwich community to support the Greenwich Public School system, the Greenwich Alliance for Education funds innovation, expands opportunities and inspires educators. Its main programs include: “Reaching Out Grants,” grants awarded to pilot innovative programs in our schools; “Tuning In To Music,” free instrumental music lessons for students unable to afford this opportunity; “AVID SUCCESS,” extensions to the AVID program to help AVID students and Alumni achieve college and career success, “Greenwich Alliance Scholarship Fund” for AVID students in college; Early Childhood Education through the “Greenwich United Way’s Direct Impact program – Early Childhood Achievement Gap Solutions.” For information, call 203-340-2323 or visit www.greenwichalliance.org.