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Thanksgiving Trot mixing it up

Moving into second decade

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The Marcia Walters Memorial Thanksgiving Trot begins its second decade coming off the reception of the Nonprofit of the Year by the East Parker County Chamber of Commerce.

“The Trot,” as it is affectionately called, is unique among fund-raising organizations in that it selects a single recipient family to benefit from its efforts each year.

This year’s recipient is Carter LeBaron, a 13-year-old Aledo ISD student that was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia this past March. 

Rhonda Torres, Executive Director of the Trot, says they are mixing things up a bit this year.

“We will have a new race course and Whitney Harris and Niki Thompson will co-chair the 11th Marcia Walters Memorial Thanksgiving Trot,” Torres said. “These ladies will do an awesome job as they have been with the Trot from the beginning and share a passion for the race.”

Three new members have also been added to the board of directors: Lauren Grant, Kate Ray and Jessica Pipkin.

“We are looking forward to their participation on the board,” Torres said. “The only other board member appointed since the original board was named is Blair Cantrell, and she has done a great job with the Shop for the Trot.”

This year’s Shop for the Trot will be Nov. 13 at the Aledo Volleyball Club.

“We want to continue to grow the race and the addition of the new members will give us added resources to do so,” Torres said, “Twelve years ago, I called a group of people together and asked for their help in making a dream become a reality and they did. I am forever grateful for the original board members and to my son for the idea and pushing me to carry the vision to fruition.”

One unique aspect of The Trot is that virtually all funds collected go to the recipient. All race services, prizes, signage, and staging are donated and provided by volunteers. The only item the organization pays for are t-shirts.

Torres said they are looking for a t-shirt sponsor so all proceeds can be donated to the recipient family.

Anyone interested in becoming a t-shirt sponsor should contact Randy Keck at The Community News (rkeck@community-news.com).

For more information about the Thanksgiving Trot, visit www.aledothanksgivingtrot.com.

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