Records were set this Thanksgiving, not only by the amount of food on one’s plate, but by the amount of participants and money raised in local Turkey Trots benefiting area non-profits.
In Ridgefield, the ninth annual Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation Turkey Trot raised a record setting $46,000 as over 1,000 runners, walkers and four-legged friends joined in on the phone. At the same time, a little further south at Klineline Pond in Salmon Creek, the Clark County Food Bank held its annual Turkey Trot, a 5k and 10k completed with a Polar Bear Plunge into the chilly water, raised $42,000 with a sold out registration of 1,200.
Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation Turkey Trot sets fundraising record
Nearly 1,200 participants, volunteers and event sponsors started their Thanksgiving with an early morning 5k run/walk in Ridgefield.
The ninth annual Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation Turkey Trot became the largest fundraiser in history for the foundation with over $46,000 raised. A monetary totaled out to a record amount that will directly support the students, schools and families that make up the Ridgefield School District.
The Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation will give half of the money raised from the Turkey Trot to the Ridgefield Family Resource Center and the other half will fund grants and scholarships issued by non-profit organization, President Rachelle Simmons stated in an email.
“Every dollar directly benefits Ridgefield students and families,” Simmons added.
The Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation (RPSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit originally founded in 2009 by a group of Ridgefield School District parents, Simmons stated. RPSF currently consists of 11 volunteer board members.
“Our mission is to advance programs and activities that promote equity and support whole student development for which public resources are insufficient or unavailable,” Simmons stated. “RPSF provides grants to educators to support STEM, arts & literacy, social emotional learning, accessibility, innovation and more. We also offer various scholarships for students, including driver's education, music lessons, and post-secondary scholarships.”
The annual Turkey Trot is a full community effort, Simmons stated. The Turkey Trot is made possible by generous sponsors and the incredible support of community members. Board members, Geogianna Jones and Joe Manning, are instrumental in leading the event, Simmons stated.
“We couldn't do it without a fantastic team of volunteers,” Simmons added. “The RPSF board, View Ridge Middle School National Honor Society (NHS), Ridgefield High School NHS, grandparents, parents, community members, teachers, and district staff all volunteer their time to help make the event a success.”
Simmons added that she always looks forward to the sense of community that can be felt before, after and during the run/walk.
“Participants can feel the joy and unity of the community,” Simmons stated. “People come in turkey costumes, kids and adults are excited to see their friends, preschool-aged kids compete in the Drumstick Dash, and even friendly dogs join the fun on the course.”
The course put the beauty of some of Ridgefield's gorgeous natural landscape on full display as it meandered runners and walkers through Abrams Park, up to historic downtown, then down to Lake River, and along the national wildlife refuge property.
Clark County Food Bank’s 2025 Turkey Trot another success
Salmon Creek Regional Park was filled with families and costumed runners on Thanksgiving morning as the Clark County Food Bank held its annual Turkey Trot, a 5k and 10k that wound through park trails, beginning and ending at Klineline Pond. Both races started around 9 a.m., followed later by a chilly Polar Bear Plunge that sent participants sprinting into the water.
The longtime tradition sold out again this year with 1,200 registered runners. Many showed up despite a light drizzle, and organizers said the steady turnout reflects the community’s commitment to both fitness and hunger relief.
Rachel Beck, the food bank’s director of development, said the full registration is something they never take for granted.
“We have about 1200 people who [registered], and we just love that families choose to come here and support Clark County Food Bank to run and to start their Thanksgiving in a healthy way,” Beck said.
Thursday’s drizzle did not disrupt the festive mood. Beck said the weather rarely deters participants.
“Hey, we're here whether it rains or not,” she said.
Families filled the course in themed outfits, tutus, and turkey hats. Beck said creativity is one of her favorite parts of the morning.
“I love seeing the costumes and all the energy, they’re so excitng,” she said.
After runners crossed the finish line, many headed straight for the water for the Polar Bear Plunge. The freezing dash into Klineline Pond continues to be one of the event’s most popular additions.
The Clark County Turkey Trot has been a tradition since 2002. Since the early 2010s, the event has been organized by the Clark County Food Bank, with full proceeds supporting the nonprofit’s efforts.
This year’s trot raised about $42,000 through registration alone, with additional opportunities for people to donate at the event. That support helps fuel the food bank’s wide network of distribution and hunger-relief programs. Clark County Food Bank manages over 10 million pounds of food each year, which is the equivalent of 8.3 million meals. The organization works with more than 50 partner agencies at over 100 distribution sites across the county.
Elora Hargis, community engagement manager, said those funds directly strengthen the food bank’s core mission.
“All proceeds go directly into our … primary mission, which is alleviating hunger, so that money is used for general operations and food distribution,” Hargis said.
Hargis noted that the day also brings in nonmonetary support, as barrels were set out for people who wanted to donate food.
“Anytime we do an event, people always bring food, so we come prepared,” she said.
With more than 148,000 people facing hunger in Clark County, food bank leaders said the holiday season is their busiest time of year, making the community’s participation even more meaningful.
“We have a significant amount of support,” Hargis said.
