Uniondale High School laced up their sneakers for a good cause with a fun twist. The school hosted its inaugural Turkey Trot Food Drive, combining two fall-filled events during the thankful season.
Orchestrated by Assistant Principal José Erntesto Ortiz, the school got students and staff to come out in the spirit of giving for the walk/run. This event was completely free for those to join, inviting potential runners to sign up by donating canned and non-perishable food to the school’s food pantry.
“A lot of people are discouraged to run races, even if they maybe want to, because sometimes you have to pay, and when you have to pay and you don’t feel comfortable as a runner, it’s not the easiest thing,” Ortiz said. “So we wanted to make it free.”
Over 100 participants signed up for the walk/run, which spanned around the softball field and track, with the option of running/walking two or three miles.
“What we wanted to happen is to start something where people say ‘whether I’m walking or I’m running, it is for me,’” he said. “‘It doesn’t matter what I look like, it doesn’t matter how big I am, it doesn’t matter how slow I am, I can do it, I’m going to make it happen.’”
The race kicked off at 3:15 p.m. on Nov. 24, allowing each category of runners, based on distance and speed, their own starting times. Music blasted during the runs and snacks and drinks were also provided for runners in case needed.
This race allowed the school to combine healthy movement with a wonderful cause before the holidays. “Getting to piggyback off our cancer walk that promoted wellness and awareness and breast cancer and now we want to promote wellness and health, and even mindfulness during the thanksgiving season and let the students and staff know that we’re a family also,” Shari James, nurse educator at Uniondale High School said.
As the runners hit the track, they looped around the entire field several times before hitting the track for their last laps, whether it be walking or running. For each running category there was a winner who received trophies. Kevin Anderson won in the 5K, three miles, category and Leighton Murray, 14, won in the two mile category. Each participant received a medal for their efforts in the races.
As many staff and students came out for the run, so did superintendent Dr. Monica Darrishaw-Akil, a runner herself. “It’s really exciting,” she said. “It’s also exciting for me to just marry my passion for my job, as well as my passion for running.
The Uniondale High School hopes to expand the invite to the Turkey Trot Food Drive to the rest of the community during the next Thanksgiving season.
