OAKLAND — Get fit, earn free tickets to the Piedmont Turkey Trot and help the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
The popular Piedmont Turkey Trot has teamed up with Golden State Fitness and Performance this year to offer free Turkey Trot tickets to the first 100 people who bring in a turkey on Nov. 11 that will be donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
Donors will also be able to participate in a free group class that day. The collaboration came about when Piedmont resident and Golden State member Beth Barrett and Debra Dryden, a Turkey Trot board member, were talking.
“Beth brought it up to partner with a healthy enterprise. We said ‘Of course we’re in, it sounds fantastic,'” said Turkey Trot founder Marilyn Weber. “What this collaboration adds is a fun partnership with a local fitness organization that has the same goal — to be happy and healthy, have people feel good about themselves.”
Golden State founder Dave Bolduc said he has always enjoyed helping others, sponsoring community events and donating to local causes. In 2016. the gym held their first turkey drive and donated more than 600 pounds of turkeys to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
“Coming from a life where things were rough and knowing what it feels like to struggle, I understand the impact a food bank has on those in need,” Bolduc said. “The food banks can’t go it on their own and with our help they can provide families with a warm Thanksgiving meal.”
Bolduc will be underwriting the cost of the free Turkey Trot tickets he gives out on Nov. 11, issuing a check to Weber after the event.
Bolduc said his faith and his grandparents raising him provided a foundation when he was growing up. He treats every client with support and encouragement, whether young or old, he said.
He took the leap of faith and opened his gym in 2010, after being a personal trainer for another gym.
“That year I also got married and had a child. Faith showed me fear is just a block to move forward,” he said.
Bolduc is happily married with children ages 6, 4 and 2.
To participate in the program, turkey donors must register for the Piedmont Turkey Trot through Golden State Fitness on Nov. 11.
Last year, the Piedmont Turkey Trot awarded $12,000 to the Piedmont High School track team, $12,000 to the PHS cross-country team and $35,000 to the city’s field preservation fund, Weber said. All proceeds from the Trot are given to the causes except for the overhead to put it on, such as the cost of a professional timekeeper, T-shirts and race bibs.
“The incredible success of Golden State’s turkey drive in 2016 demonstrates their commitment to the health and wellness of our community,” Weber said. “The Piedmont Turkey Trot is honored to partner with Golden State to support the food bank. We hope we can do this again next year.”
For those who can’t make the turkey drive, tickets to the Trot are $35 for ages 13 and up and $25 for age 12 and under. Register for the Trot at www.piedmontturkeytrot.com.
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IF YOU GO
What: Turkey drive for Alameda County Community Food Bank
Where: Golden State Fitness and Performance, 2011 Mountain Blvd., Oakland
When: 8 a.m. to noon, Nov. 11
Information: 510-339-1800
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