To the Editor:
The 7th annual Turkey Trot for the Memory was our largest race to date with 1,600 participants from 23 states walking/running to end Alzheimer’s disease. The $36,000 raised from this highly anticipated Thanksgiving event was donated to the Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter and will be used to advance research, provide quality care for those afflicted, and support caregivers and loved ones. An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the support and help of many people. We are grateful to the following supporters who made this race possible.
The Town of Shrewsbury. Thank you to our neighbors for your support — your participation and your patience with traffic and crowds. The sense of community on the Shrewsbury Town Common on Thanksgiving morning was palpable. We are grateful to the Board of Selectmen, who granted us permission to hold the event; and our emergency response professionals — police, fire, EMS — who maintained order on race day and were present in case of emergency.
The First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury has been our home base for the past seven years. This event would not be possible without the incredible generosity of this congregation. We are deeply indebted to you.
Our sponsors. Thank you to our sponsors whose names you see on the back of the t-shirt. Their donations help with the operating expenses of the race and increase the donation we can make directly to the MA/NH Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. A special THANKS to Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union for serving as our presenting sponsor. We are very grateful to them and to all of our sponsors and hope that you will shop local and frequent their businesses.
Our volunteers. Your willingness to get up early to work the registration tables and brave the elements to direct parking and line the race course ensures that this event runs smoothly. We know that there are plenty of other things you could be doing on the day before Thanksgiving and early Thanksgiving morning, but you choose to start it with us and we appreciate it.
Turkey Trot participants. Your energy and enthusiasm have helped this race grow from 400 participants in the first year to more than 1,600 in 2017. Thank you for making this event so memorable and worthwhile.
Mother Nature. Sunshine, blue skies, and temperatures above freezing provided the perfect backdrop to an amazing morning.
We look forward to reconvening next year and making 2018 even better. See you then!
Respectfully,
Jane and David Lizotte
Joyce and Charles Davidson
Leigh and Mark O’Connor
James Heald
Amy Kotsopoulos
Dana Canzano
Glen Lucchese
