Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. It's a time for family, gratitude, traditions and, of course, a little too much turkey and pumpkin pie. But long before sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner, my family had another tradition: lacing up our running shoes and starting the holiday with a Turkey Trot.
Thanksgiving morning always meant bundling up against the cold, gathering with family and heading out for a run. Sometimes there was rain, sometimes snow, and sometimes the weather made you question why you got out of bed so early. But we did it anyway.
It wasn't about winning or setting records. It was about family, friendly competition and creating memories that lasted longer than the soreness in our legs.
Today, thanks to a wonderful partnership between Thorbeckes and my law firm, Althauser Rayan Abbarno, the annual Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot in Chehalis has become a beloved community tradition bringing together hundreds of neighbors, friends and families.
And I couldn't be prouder to be part of it.
One of my greatest joys has been watching my own family grow alongside the event.
My wife, Holly, and our children, Antonio and Sophia, have shared countless Thanksgiving morning memories. What began as a tradition from my childhood has become something our children can call their own.
Some years we run. Some years we walk. Some years we're simply happy to cross the finish line and get home for Thanksgiving dinner.
But every year, we're together.
Looking around the starting line, I see that same experience shared by hundreds of families.
Parents pushing strollers. Grandparents walking with grandchildren. Young athletes chasing personal records. Friends laughing and catching up. Neighbors encouraging neighbors.
There are serious runners, casual walkers and plenty of people there for the commemorative T-shirt and the promise of a big Thanksgiving meal.
Everyone belongs. That's what makes the Turkey Trot special. You don't have to be the fastest runner or most experienced athlete. You just have to show up.
While the Turkey Trot is a wonderful family tradition, its greatest impact extends beyond the finish line.
Through the generosity of participants, volunteers, sponsors and community partners, the event supports outstanding organizations: the Chehalis Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County, Centralia Athletics Activities Facilities Foundation (CAAFF) and the Thorbeckes Youth Activities Scholarship Fund.
When families register, they're doing more than signing up for a Thanksgiving activity. They're investing in the next generation of our community.
I'm especially grateful for our partners at Thorbeckes, whose dedication and hard work make this event possible year after year.
At Althauser Rayan Abbarno, we've always believed being part of a community means more than doing business in it. It means investing in people, supporting local organizations and creating opportunities for families to connect.
Our law firm's Lewis County roots stretch back to 1946. Through generations of attorneys, staff, and community involvement, that commitment to service has remained constant.
The Turkey Trot is one meaningful example of that philosophy in action.
Thorbeckes has helped create an event celebrating health, family, generosity and community spirit. None of it would happen without the volunteers, businesses, organizers and participants who make this tradition successful.
They deserve our gratitude.
As I get older, I appreciate family traditions more than ever.
Life gets busy. Children grow up. Schedules fill with work, school, sports and countless responsibilities. Sometimes the simplest moments become the most meaningful.
For me, the Turkey Trot is one of those moments.
It connects my childhood to the life Holly and I have built in Lewis County. It connects generations of families and reminds me that the best traditions are shared with others.
Years from now, I don't expect my children to remember their finishing times. But I hope they remember the chilly mornings, their dad’s goofy turkey hat, laughter, friendly competition and feeling of belonging to something bigger than themselves.
Most importantly, I hope they remember that gratitude isn't simply something expressed around the Thanksgiving table. It's demonstrated through service, generosity, and caring for neighbors.
This Thanksgiving morning, I invite families throughout Lewis County and Southwest Washington to register at any Thorbeckes Athletic Club and join us at Thorbeckes in Chehalis on Thanksgiving morning.
Bring your children, parents and friends. Run, walk, jog or trot. Whether it's your first Turkey Trot or your 10th, there's a place for you at the starting line.
Let's make memories, support wonderful organizations and begin Thanksgiving together. Because the best Thanksgiving traditions aren't just about what we receive. They're about what we share and what we give back.
•••
Peter Abbarno is a Centralia-based attorney, former city council member and current state representative for Washington’s 20th Legislative District.
