By Suzanne Esquivel
The 14th Annual Healdsburg Turkey Trot was hosted by the Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise, which partners with Healdsburg Running Company and the City of Healdsburg. Each partner is essential to the event’s success.
We sold out Wednesday morning at 3,500 trotters, but 4,000 (including babies in strollers and dogs) participated in total with “pirate bibs” being distributed Wednesday and Thursday morning for a $25 donation. Finances are being finalized, but I can safely estimate that over $100,000 was raised for the Drew Esquivel Memorial Scholarship Fund and other Healdsburg nonprofit organizations focusing on Healdsburg’s families and students. A dozen Drew Scholars participated in the trot and volunteered. Our mottos were on full display: “Having Fun Doing Good” and “Living Like Drew.”
Sunrise Rotary Club thanks the volunteers from the Healdsburg High School Interact Club, Healdsburg High School Wrestling, Healdsburg Community Church, the crew from Healdsburg Running Company, Boy Scouts Troop 21 and Girl Scouts Troop 10278.
We appreciate our event sponsors: Big John’s Market, Charlie Palmer’s Pigs and Pinot, Stay Healdsburg, Vanguard Properties, Kendall-Jackson Wines, Summit State Bank, Garrett ACE Hardware, Rio Lindo Academy, Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County, E and M Electric, Appellation Healdsburg, and Preston Family Charitable Fund.
Love and big thanks go to: City Council Member and DJ David Hagele, who spun the tunes. Original Healdsburg Turkey Trot organizer Ted Neal, who made sure all the Trotters made it to the finish line. Healdsburg Fire Department, Healdsburg Police, Healdsburg Community Services and Bell’s Ambulance, which ensured the safety of Trotters and traffic. Wolf Coffee and Black Oak Coffee, which served free hot coffee. Costeaux French Bakery, which provided tasty awards. The official photographer was Lucid Motion Images. HHS Teacher Cynthia Gouig sang the National Anthem. Healdsburg coach/graduate/mom Kelly Blanchard created the beautiful balloon decorations. Many longtime friends of our (the Esquivel) family volunteer every year, never saying no to the chance to volunteer and support Live Like Drew.
The Healdsburg community shines during this event. And every Trotter started their Thanksgiving Day with energy, enthusiasm and gratitude. Thank you for making the Healdsburg Turkey Trot part of your Thanksgiving!
