By Lydia Browne
“Giving a hand up to patients fighting cancer.” This is the mission statement of the Tim and Jeannie Hamann Foundation—a local foundation that directly benefits cancer patients and helps lessen the burden. This foundation puts together the Benicia Turkey Trot each year, during which participants walk or run one of two route options at the Community Park to help cancer patients.
Wendy Widhalm organizes the event. “The Hamann Foundation holds different events throughout the year, including a Dinner and Auction in the spring,” she said. “The Turkey Trot is the fall event, which I chair.”
The Turkey Trot event takes place on Thanksgiving morning. This year marks the 7th annual occurrence of the fundraiser, and it will be held on November 23, 2023 at the Benicia Community Park. Registration starts at 7:30, and there will be a costume contest at 8:00. The Trot itself starts at 8:30.
Wendy Widhalm is one of the founders of the event. She has lived in Benicia for 17 years. “I like that it has a small-town feel,” she said. “I like that there’s a main area downtown with restaurants and shopping, and that it’s in the Bay Area so it has so many opportunities for things to do and areas to visit. You can go to the ocean, the mountains, or to Napa and Sonoma Valley, San Francisco, etc. There are also good schools in Benicia. However, I wish there were four seasons here. I miss the thunderstorms and the snow!”
According to Widhalm, she organizes the event because of loved ones who fought cancer. “It was a way to pay it forward after my dad passed away from cancer in 2017,” she explained. “[This event] is meant to bring the community together to raise funds to help those fighting cancer.”
The Turkey Trot raises support for those fighting cancer. “The foundation helps with mortgage payments, rent payments, utility bills, medical bills, gas and grocery cards, and special needs for cancer patients,” Widhalm stated. “For example, they have helped people who were homeless stay in a hotel while going through treatment.” As she also mentioned, “The Hamann Foundation has given out about a million dollars to patients since 2014.”
To raise this money, participants pay a fee of $25 to sign up for the event. However, kids 12 and under can participate for free.
Widhalm spreads the word about the event in a variety of ways. “I use social media and sponsorships, which come from community businesses. It also spreads through word of mouth. There are signs and flyers around town. We distribute flyers through the school district, Benicia youth soccer league, and the community. We have postcards in check holders at Lucca Bar & Grill, and we drop postcards in bags at the downtown Halloween Stroll. We also often reach out to past participants and those who have attended other Hamann Foundation events.”
“Last year was the highest with nearly 400 people,” Widhalm stated. “I love spending time with the volunteers there in the morning. We start setting up at 6, and there are a lot of families and their kids that help us. Some of the fun things about the Turkey Trot are the costumes that people come in, and we have a dog contest this year—we’ll see how that goes. I love hearing the stories of participants who have made the Turkey Trot a Thanksgiving tradition, and the stories of people whose family members the foundation has helped.”
Widhalm expressed that she really appreciates when high school students participate in and help with the Turkey Trot. “High school students should participate because it is for a good cause, and I know that a lot of students have unfortunately been affected by someone who has had cancer. Students can walk in honor or memory of family or friends who have fought or are fighting cancer, because cancer does not discriminate against age. Also, it is great to just do something in the community. The event is something that they can do with their friends. I would say in the past a lot of high school students have volunteered, as part of Key Club or Leadership, and they seem to have a lot of fun.”
The Turkey Trot is a great event for both families and individuals. “The participants are mainly families and their kids, and sometimes their dogs. But you get a lot of people who just want to come out and run, who are avid runners.”
“We look forward to the Turkey Trot growing in the years to come,” Widhalm remarked, “because, unfortunately, we are seeing more and more requests for assistance coming every day. I hope that this Turkey Trot will become a destination Turkey Trot, and that it will become a tradition for many.”
If you would like to sign up for the Benicia Turkey Trot, you can register at www.beniciaturkeytrot.com.
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