Family Gratitude - 5K Dedham Turkey Trot

Ripples of Hope-Contact Information

Event Director: Kristen Atwood, kristenatwood5@gmail.com

Media Inquiries: Marcia Robinson, marcia@ripplesofhope.org

Dedham Food Pantry- Contact Information

President: Lindsay Barich, lindsayb@uwinc.com

Dedham Youth Commission- Contact Information

Director: Rob Blaney, rblaney@dedham-ma.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dedham-based, Non-Profit Ripples of Hope Presents

2nd Annual Thanksgiving
Day Family Gratitude 5K Turkey Trot

to Benefit
the Dedham
Food Pantry and Dedham Youth Commission’s College
Bound Program

Family-Friendly
Race Offers Area Residents Opportunity to Give Back

and Start
or Continue a New Family Thanksgiving Day Tradition

Dedham,
MA –
November 2, 2013 – 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 working
with community partners, donors and volunteers to present the 2nd
Annual Thanksgiving Day “Family
Gratitude 5K Turkey Trot” in Dedham to benefit Dedham Food Pantry and
Dedham Youth Commission’s College Bound
Program for area first generation college bound youth.  The event will feature a 5K Race, “Mashed
Mile” ½ mile Kids Run and Food Drive on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28th
from 8:00 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 $15,000
for the Dedham Food Pantry and drew nearly 800 runners. This year, Ripples of
Hope aims to raise over $20,000 and welcome 1,000+ runners.  “Our goal for creating this race last year was
to create a joyful family event and 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” says Race Founder and Director, Kristen
Atwood. “We are excited to add the Dedham Youth Commission’s College Bound
program to our roster this year and look forward to welcoming even more Dedham
and local area families to join us and give back to local families who will benefit
from extra support.”   

The
event will kick off at 8:00 A.M. with a warm up and The “Mashed Mile” ½ mile Kids Run and the 5K run will begin at
8:30 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! Register
at www.active.com .  5K
Run participation fee: $25 for adults; $50 for families of 4
or more; $15 for students 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. 

 “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 Lindsay Barich, 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.  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 marcia@ripplesofhope.org.

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 rblaney@dedham-ma.gov