With Thanksgiving only a few days away, Y associates and volunteers across the region are busily preparing for our annual Turkey Trot. Needless to say, the details required to support an event of this magnitude cannot be underestimated and require intense focus, all with the purpose of supporting our charitable mission. It’s an “all hands on deck” moment which engages even the youngest among us (Preschool and Before and After School Enrichment) who run Mini Trots in advance of Thanksgiving to support the cause! Mini Trots (adjusted for age levels) include running laps and completing obstacle courses, all while raising money from family and friends to help assure other children can enjoy the same benefits and rich Y experience they do.

What a great way to teach the value of community service while also engaging in healthy fun! So far, our Mini Trotters have raised over $6,000 and still going strong!

Hats off to one of our youngest Trotters and a determined fundraiser! Lincoln (pictured below), is a kindergarten student in our Before and After School Enrichment program at the Youth’s Benefit Elementary School in Harford County. He is the top fundraiser in his program with $160 raised! His secret? Lincoln went door to door in his neighborhood and had a clipboard with a few lines about the Y’s Mini Trot. He told everyone he was “running to raise money for the Y so other children could go too.”

Thank you, Lincoln. I couldn’t have said or done it any better myself.

See everyone on Thanksgiving morning!

All the best,

John

John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland