By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – On Thursday, Nov. 23, at 8 a.m., runners and walkers will fill Shrewsbury’s Town Common to begin the seventh annual Turkey Trot for the Memory. Many have personal reasons compelling them to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association Mass./N.H. chapter.
Organizers of the five- and two-mile run/walk are family and friends of the late Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Francis P. O’Connor, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1999 and passed away in 2007. Participants explained why they trot on the event’s website and Facebook page.
For Stephen McSweeney, the fundraiser is an opportunity for his family to celebrate the life of his late mother, Nancy Collins.
“We often have a chuckle that Mom would probably think we were all crazy for getting up so early on Thanksgiving morning to run/walk,” he shared. “Our ability to support one another really shines through at the trot.”
Patrick Duke and his family have participated several years in memory of his grandfather, William Duke Sr. Their first year was emotional because his grandfather was rapidly declining.
“Once we arrived at the Town Common, we saw the hundreds of people from our community bundled up and ready to walk/run,” he relayed. “We knew we weren’t alone.”
Karen and Dan Gutekanst appreciate that the trot evokes holiday memories for their three daughters’ grandmother.
“We remember her as the life of the party… who hosted 40-plus relatives for Thanksgiving,” they recalled. “We carry her with us every day.”
Joyce Kerr remembers her mother, Kie, as “a vibrant young woman” when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in her late-40s.
“I’m proud to be part of a community that has a strong commitment to supporting people affected by this disease and raising money for research that will one day bring about a cure,” she stated.
Among memories of growing up in Shrewsbury for Cathy Burke is seeing Judge O’Connor on his porch with family and a big smile. Now, the Turkey Trot for the Memory has become a tradition for the Burke family.
“It feels good to be part of this effort to help eradicate this debilitating disease,” she shared.
Pre-register online at turkeytrotforthememory.org. Online registration will close Tuesday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. Day of event registration will be available 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. Follow updates on Facebook at facebook.com/TurkeyTrotfortheMemory.