November 9, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Due to the cold weather, the DeKalb County Coordinated School Health will be holding the 3rd Annual Turkey Trot Walkathon on Saturday, November 10 at the county complex instead of at Green Brook Park. The event will benefit The Back Pack Program.
Approximately 6% of the DeKalb County student population goes hungry on a regular basis, with meals provided at school being their main source of food. Coordinated School Health (CSH) began sending bags of food home with children over 9 years ago. Initially the food was sent home over long weekends and holidays. Now the students are provided food to take home every week during the school year. The Back Pack Program has been sustained through generous donations of time, money, and food from individuals, churches, civic organizations, and grants. Funding is not always consistent, and donations are continuously sought for food and/or money to maintain our program.
This walkathon hopes to encourage the community to enjoy some physical activity and fun while also supporting a great program. All ages are welcome. There are nine age categories and prizes will be given to a male and female in each age category that walks/runs the most laps. They will have games, food, crafts, face painting, and new this year a costume contest! Registration starts at 10:00am. Costume contest judging will be from 10:00am to 10:45am, the winner will be announced before the start of the walkathon. The walkathon will start at 11:00am and end at 12:30 pm, with prizes to follow. There is no fee to participate, but participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items for a donation to The Back Pack Program.