Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27 at 9 a.m. marks the date and time of the Boothbay Region YMCA’s third annual Turkey Trot to benefit the Boothbay Region Food Pantry.

Last year, the second annual Turkey Trot raised over $2,200 in cash donations and hosted over 160 participants of every age not including those being pushed in strollers, being walked on leashes and those dribbling basketballs and soccer balls.

The annual Turkey Trot is sponsored by the Y’s early morning (5:30 a.m., five days per week) Total Body Challenge class. Several of the class participants had been gathering on their own Thanksgiving morning to exercise together. They felt so great about it, they wanted to share it with the community and so they have — three years in a row.

Mark your calendar. Show up at the Y parking lot on Thanksgiving morning a bit before 9 a.m. Invite your friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors. Bring a cash donation for the Boothbay Region Food Pantry and share fresh air and health right here in your community on a perfect day of thanks!

As a nonprofit with a focus on Healthy Living, Youth Development and Social Responsibility, the YMCA’s Annual Turkey Trot supports all three focus areas. In addition to the Turkey Trot, the Boothbay Region YMCA also holds two Fill the Y Bus Food Drives each year when supplies get low at the food pantry.

The next Fill the Y Bus Food Drive will be held in partnership with staff and volunteers at Bigelow Laboratory on Monday, Dec. 1, 1-6 p.m. at the Boothbay Harbor Hannaford. This event is part of the kick off to Giving Tuesday. To learn more about Giving Tuesday, go to https://www.facebook.com/boothbaytreasures or http://www.boothbayregister.com/affiliate/boothbay-treasures/42834/.