Community Healthcore's fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K and one-mile walk will take place at 8 a.m. Nov. 22 at Spring Lake Park, Texarkana, Texas. Registration starts at 7 a.m.
The entry fee is $25 per person and $10 for strollers and pets. The fee increases to $35 after Sunday.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their best turkey, pilgrim or favorite costume and participate in the costume contest.
Other activities include a children's gobble run, music, mobile video gaming and writing on a car.
Community Healthcore is the local mental health authority for nine counties, including Bowie, Cass and Red River with more 14,000 citizens seeking services last year.
Community Healthcore provides behavioral health services to children and adults with mental illness and substance use disorders, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and veterans.
Community Healthcore Foundation sponsors the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and proceeds raised from these events are returned to the programs. All proceeds provide needed services and items without a sufficient funding source such as sponsoring Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, learning toys for early childhood intervention and media equipment allowing videos for group sessions.
"The support from the public for the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot has been tremendous. We have many families and individuals that have participated every year since the beginning. Many have told us this is their new family tradition for Thanksgiving Day. Last year was the largest number of runners, about 180, but we hope to exceed that amount this year," said Jeanell Cannon, regional administrator for Bowie, Cass and Red River counties. "It is very humbling to have such a large support of the community for our event and it gives us the opportunity to teach and talk about mental health and working to reduce the stigma of mental illness."
The public is encouraged to attend.
"Our organization is very proud of this event, now in its fifth year, and the support it generates from the Northeast Texas community. We look forward to seeing everyone there," said Inman White, executive director.