By Julie Faryniarz
Heading into the holiday season, the Greenwich Alliance for Education is excited about our annual Turkey Trot 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. The race is set for Saturday, November 30 and will be our 14th annual community fundraising and friend-raising event.
Turkey Trot began as an idea from Emmy Stocker, a lifelong runner, who leveraged her extensive experience and enthusiasm to set up the logistics necessary to put on a community race. Emmy also brought in her running friend, John Gibbons, to run the first race and help by sponsoring. The Gibbons & Forti families have supported the Turkey Trot for all fourteen years.
Our first Turkey Trot in 2011 included 300 runners. Today over 1500 people of all ages, who are filled with energy and a bit of competitive spirit, come out to either walk the 1 mile or run the 5K. The anticipation of which Greenwich school will win the school’s competition is always a nail biter, with the top school usually leaping ahead with registrations late on Thanksgiving night. Last year, North Mianus and Parkway Schools won the coveted turkey trophies – who will take home the title this year?
What many of our racers do not know is that being part of the Turkey Trot makes it possible for the Greenwich Alliance for Education, our town’s only education foundation non-profit 501(c)3 organization, to fund programs for students, teachers and alumni of the public schools.
For 18 years, we have been funding possibilities! Inspiring musicians have access to free private instrumental music lessons and first-gen students are attending college and graduating to pursue interesting careers or continuing education in graduate school. An array of grants has expanded opportunities in all 15 Greenwich Public Schools. These programs offer theater arts, visual/graphic arts, virtual reality & STEM extensions, literacy enrichment, eSports, and mindfulness/ mental health supports – just to name a few. Nearly $1M has been given in college scholarships. Educators have had the chance to champion innovative ideas, and our talented volunteers have mentored students, taught financial literacy and helped us build capacity. We have fueled successful academic outcomes!
So, take a moment to register for the largest event of the Thanksgiving weekend – Greenwich Alliance for Education’s Turkey Trot and enjoy a healthy, fun day with family and friends while knowing you are making a big difference for education in our community.
!0 Years Running… Thanks to the following sponsors for a decade of sponsorship – Cadillac of Greenwich, Cynthia DeRiemer, 400 Capital Management, Gilbride, Tulsa, Last & Spellane LLC, Garden Catering, Gibbons & Forti Families, Ivey, Barnum & O’Mara LLC, MBI Inc, Morgan Stanley – The Markey Group, O’Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC, Pizza Post, Putnam Shell and Upper Crust Bagel.
Julie Faryniarz has been the Executive Director of the Greenwich Alliance for Education for 15 years. She has 3 children who all graduated from Greenwich Public Schools. Julie is a YWCA Women Who Inspires Honoree and a PTA Excellence Award recipient.
