Successful Turkey Burn in Pleasanton

Pleasanton North Rotary’s fourth annual Tri-Valley Turkey Burn family walk/run went off with a flourish on Thanksgiving morning — despite days of uncertainty beforehand due to smoke lingering in Pleasanton from the destructive Camp Fire in Butte County.

About 1,200 registered participants came to Ken Mercer Sports Park for the 5K/10K event on the cool, partly sunny morning.

In all, the event raised $20,000 from participants and corporate sponsors — funds that the club’s foundation will distribute next year as grants to different Tri-Valley youth services and programs. Attendees also filled eight barrels with food packages and cans to support Tri-Valley Haven.

Letter: Turkey Burn gives thanks

Dear Editor,

The annual Tri-Valley Burn is all about giving thanks, so it is fitting that Pleasanton North Rotary, the event’s organizer, is giving thanks here to everyone who made our fourth annual Thanksgiving morning 5K/10K family fun run possible this year in Pleasanton’s Ken Mercer Sports Park.

Considering the weather, it is fitting to express appreciation to divine providence for providing healthy air and fair skies for the event. We thank the Pleasanton police, park and recreation and operations departments and the Zone 7 Water Agency for assuring the Turkey Burn was safely and smoothly executed.

And we thank this year’s nearly 1,200 participants. We are pleased the Turkey Burn appealed to a diverse audience of single adults, families and seniors. The ethnic diversity of runners and walkers was especially encouraging.

And we will never forget the importance of the following sponsors:

Diamond level: Service Champion Heating and Air Conditioning. Platinum Level: Alpha Omega Print & Marketing, Big O Tires, and Green Leaf Capital. Gold level: Accusplit and Gina Piper Real Estate.

Silver level: Association Maintenance Services, Inc., Characterz Cafe & Coffee Roasterz, Fleet Feet Sports, Joya Yoga, Spinal Health Chiropractic, Studio Blue Print & Graphic Solutions and Viviana Cherman Real Estate.

Bronze level: Denali Data Systems, Dodger’s Paws Dog Training, Dog Dynasty Doggie Daycare and Boarding, Neighborhood Sports Bar & Kitchen, Pleasanton Garbage Services and US Cryotherapy. Sponsor level: THE BRICK Fitness Center, California Builder Distributors, ClubSport, Common Development Management and the Pleasanton Girls Softball League.

With your continued support, the Tri-Valley Turkey Burn will run again next year.

— Jim Brice