Each year, for the past 39 years, the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary have teamed up to host an annual Turkey Chase Charity Race.
Prior to the pandemic, the event was run each year on Thanksgiving Day in Bethesda and was the largest 10K in Montgomery County. This year (as with last year,) the event will be virtual. Participants across the DMV region are invited to walk, run or bike on their own from Nov. 15 to Nov. 30.
As was the case last year, the virtual event allows the event to be expanded throughout the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. region in a format that allows registrants to walk, run or bike on their own any date from Nov. 15 to Nov. 30. Participants may choose to do a 5K run or walk (or a combination), a 10K run/walk, a two-mile walk and a 10-mile bike ride. Families, organizations and companies are encouraged to enroll and participate as teams. Registration is open at turkeychase.com.
The event helps provide much-needed funds for community programs and support for YMCA’s throughout the DMV. “The past year has been a tougher year than usual for many families in the Washington, D.C. community,” explained Angie Reese-Hawkins, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. “The Y has been actively supporting many of these families over the past year and the need is more critical now than ever.”
Throughout the pandemic and continuing, Washington area YMCA’s have provided a broad spectrum of community programs, services and support including serving more than 146,209 pounds of meals and produce and helping 14,416 local families; providing daycare at four YMCA’s for essential workers; hosting blood drives (area blood banks have been in great need); providing daycare for families throughout the DMV; and providing online classes, while also opening Y’s under area guidelines and restrictions.
Sponsorships of the Turkey Chase are available from $3,000 to $30,000 (title) and provide great visibility in front of a large audience. Complimentary entries come with sponsorships. For sponsorship information, please contact Carla Larrick, vice president of operations or Genette Comfort, vice president of philanthropy for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington at [email protected].
Back again this year, is the opportunity to donate $200 to feed families. A “Food for Good” donation provides a week’s worth of local produce for five families while also supporting local farmers. “More than 400,000 individuals face food insecurity within the Metropolitan Washington region,” said Reese-Hawkins. “The YMCA addresses food insecurity by working with Mid-Atlantic farmers to distribute food to DVM families.”
For more information on the 39th Annual Turkey Chase, including sponsorship, registration and “Food for Good” donations, visit www.turkeychase.com. For more information on the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, visit www.ymcadc.org.
