Annual Turkey Trot Returns To New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — The 18th annual New Canaan Turkey Trot, benefiting Open Doors, will return to New Canaan this month with virtual options for runners and walkers.

The annual 5K run/walk will begin and end at Waveny Park, located on South Avenue in New Canaan, on Nov. 21 at 11:30 a.m. Supporters can also sign up for a virtual 5K run or 1-mile walk, according to a news release.

All proceeds from the race benefit the local social service organization, Open Doors, which provides support to adults and families with children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. These resources include critical needs like food, clothing, case management, access to health services, employment services and continuing education, as well as supportive housing and emergency shelter.

Organized by a team of New Canaan students, the event provides much-needed funds over the cold winter months.

The 2021 Turkey Trot is co-chaired by Ryan Connelly, Richard Hernandez, Katherine Squillante, and Oliver Tuff, along with committee members Dylan Amaswache, Jake Bausman, Pia Bausman, Griffin Gentner, Henry Hladick, Jack Hladick, Caroline Squillante and Adelaide Tuff.

Hernandez and Squillante are enthusiastic about this year's team.

"The committee is full of wonderful people who are all so passionate about the race and helping Open Doors," Hernandez said in a news release. "I'm so grateful to be a part of it."

"I'm so excited to be part of such a great committee," Squillante said in a news release, "helping such an amazing cause!"

Race day check-in opens at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 21 and the race starts at 11:30 a.m. The event registration fee is $35 in advance. Students are also selling Turkey Trot baseball caps and winter hats.

"The New Canaan Turkey Trot and helping to provide for Open Doors has been a part of my family for as long as I can remember," Connelly said in a news release. "I am very happy to be a part of such a great committee working together to help make a difference in the lives of the residents at Open Doors."

Michele Conderino, Executive Director of Open Doors, said she is inspired by the students who commit to organizing this event each year.

"Watching the young people in our community make an impact and volunteer their time to serve others fills me with such hope for our future," Conderino said in a news release.

The New Canaan Feeding 500 student leadership group is also holding a food drive at the Turkey Trot to help stock Open Doors' grocery pantry. Everyone is encouraged to bring shelf-stable groceries to help provide food to neighbors dealing with food insecurity.

"It feels great to be helping those in need at Open Doors," Oliver Tuff, founder of Feeding 500 and Turkey Trot Co-Chair, said in a news release, "and I am so excited that the New Canaan Turkey Trot is back in person."

Participants can register online for this year's event here. Anyone who cannot attend but would still like to contribute is asked to make a check payable to Open Doors and send it to 4 Merritt Street, Norwalk, CT 06854 or visit this link.

This year's race sponsors include premier sponsor Sillycow Farms along with lead sponsors Building and Land Technology, The HEP Fund, Hospital for Special Surgery Stamford, Millennium, Orangetheory Fitness, and 84Sports.