Dedham-Based, Non-Profit Ripples of Hope Presents 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Day Family Gratitude 5K Turkey Trot

Dedham-based, Non-Profit Ripples of Hope Presents
3rd Annual Thanksgiving Day Family Gratitude 5K Turkey Trot
to Benefit the Dedham Food Pantry, Dedham Youth Commission’s College Bound Program & Horizons - DCD A Family-Friendly Race Offers Area Residents Opportunity to Give Back
and Start a New or Continue a Family Thanksgiving Day Tradition

Dedham, MA – What better way to prepare for your Thanksgiving feast than by getting a little early morning exercise with family and friends while also giving back? Dedham-based non-profit, Ripples of Hope is once again pleased to be working with community partners, donors and volunteers to present the 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Day “Family Gratitude 5K Turkey Trot” in Dedham. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Dedham Food Pantry and Dedham Youth Commission’s College Bound Program for first-generation college bound youth and Horizons – DCD an academic enrichment program to bridge the achievement gap for low-income elementary school children.

Back by popular demand, the morning’s activities will feature a 5K Race, “Mashed Mile” ½ mile Kids Run and Food Drive on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27th from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM. The race will start and end at Dedham’s historic Endicott Estate property, located at 656 East Street in Dedham.

Last year’s event raised $25,000 total and drew over 1,350 runners. This year, Ripples of Hope aims to raise over $35,000 and welcome 1,800 runners. “Our vision for creating this race was to create a joyful tradition of gratitude on our most important family holidays of the year” says Race Founder and Director, Kristen Atwood. “Our mission is to help increase awareness and support for important Dedham-based social service organizations during a time of year when people are so focused on family and giving. We look forward to welcoming even more runners to join us and give back to the many families who will benefit from the extra support this fundraiser provides.”

The event will kick off at 8:30 A.M. rain or shine with a warm up and “Mashed Mile” ½ mile Kids Run. The 5K run will begin at 9:00 AM. Finisher medals will be provided for all Kids Run participants and awards will be provided to the winners of each 5K overall age division. All are welcome to register as an Individual, Family or Team. T-shirts guaranteed for first 700 pre-registered runners (must pickup pre-race 11/22 – 11/24 at Bib Pickup) Register at www.active.com.

5K Run participation fee: $25 for adults; $75 for families of 4 or more 18 & under. Kids Run is for ages 9 & under and participation is FREE. All participants are encouraged to bring a bag of non-perishable groceries to be sorted for the Food Pantry.

The race course will feature a US Track and Field Sanctioned Race Course designed by Pat Sweeney and approved by the Dedham Board of Selectmen. The Race Committee would like to thank all the local community members, businesses and sponsors for their support and in-kind donations that are making this event possible. To date, the following have generously agreed to help sponsor this event: Community Gratitude Sponsors: Dunkin Donuts Franchisee, Carlos Andrade Group, Needham Bank; Community Celebration Sponsors: City Sports, Lily Transportation, Petrini Corp., Whole Foods-Dedham; Community Hope Sponsor: A Tent for Rent, Beth Israel-Needham; Community Partner Sponsors: C2Pilates Beat Barre, Dedham Dental Associates, Dedham Youth Lacrosse, Eurotech Painting, Grogan and Co., Sara Campbell Ltd., Westwood-Mansfield Pediatric Associates; Community Friend & In-Kind Sponsors: Audi-Westwood, Chiara Bistro, Chestnut Dental, Daniels Print Communications, Charles River Running, Dedham Youth Soccer, Granite Family Chiropractic & Nutrition, Planet Fitness Dedham, Saucony.

“During this annual celebration of Thanksgiving it is especially helpful for the community to provide extra food and support for the many area families who are in need,” says Brian Rogal, Dedham Food Pantry President. “We are so grateful to Ripples of Hope and the many sponsors, volunteers and community members who are spearheading and supporting this important event again this year. This is the time of year to reflect and give thanks and this race is a true testament of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors!”

“The Dedham Youth Commission is so grateful and excited for all of the participants in this year’s Turkey Trot,” adds Rob Blaney, Director. “Through their participation in this community event, the College Bound program will be able to increase enrollment and serve more students. Simply put, this current day event will have a positive impact on the future of Dedham Youth.”

If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor or a Race Day volunteer email [email protected].

Ripples of Hope: Founded in 2008 by Dedham Resident, Kristen Atwood, Ripples of Hope is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which engages diverse groups of families in local and global service projects and journeys. The organization collaborates with local non-profits and community leaders who express a desire to build upon their existing strengths and are empowered to make a difference in their own communities. Through service, Ripples families delve into the heart of communities by working side-by-side with community residents and leaders on transformational and sustainable service projects. By building bridges between families and communities, we cultivate the foundation for continued partnership, discussion, and action and a lifetime of service. For more information, visit www.ripplesofhope.org.

Dedham Food Pantry: The Dedham Food Pantry is a 501(c)3 non-profit serving more than 700 residents each month and more than 350 families in need each year. With the motto “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” the grassroots organization does not have any paid employees nor does it receive funding from the state or town, but instead relies solely on volunteers and donations to exist. Over 150 volunteers give their time each month to make the food pantry work efficiently for clients in need. Please make the Dedham Food Pantry your primary charity this Holiday season! For more information, visit www.dedhamfoodpantry.org.

Dedham Youth Commission – College Bound Program: Founded 40 years ago, the Dedham Youth Commission is dedicated to providing social, educational, recreational and health programs to the young people of Dedham.

In 2012, the DYC developed and implemented the COLLEGE BOUND program. COLLEGE BOUND is a four-week summer residential program primarily for low-income and/or first generation Dedham middle school students. The goal of COLLEGE BOUND is to excite students about college, expose them to various careers, encourage them to lead healthy lives, and empower them to make positive change in their local and global communities. Proceeds from this year’s Turkey Trot will enable COLLEGE BOUND to increase enrollment of students and the services these students provide to their communities. For more information please contact Dedham Youth Commission at 781 326 3120 or [email protected]

Horizons was founded in Dedham in 2009 to address the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged students and their middle-income peers. The tuition-free six-week summer program offers academic and social support for students from low-income families in Dedham and Boston. The program is largely funded by the generous donations of local families and friends. What makes Horizons unique is its unwavering long term commitment to our children: For ten successive summers, Horizons students grow in skills and confidence by learning to swim, developing a stronger academic foundation, and through weekly field trips, gaining greater knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Horizons students have consistently demonstrated a 2- to 3-month improvement in reading and math over the six-week summer program, effectively erasing the “summer slide” commonly experienced by low-income children. For more information, please visit HorizonsGreaterBoston.org.