GURNEE – It was cold, blustery, and it even snowed on Thanksgiving.

But that didn’t prevent several hundred people from showing up that day to participate in the 14th Annual Jon Callaghan Memorial Turkey Trot 5k Fun Run and Walk Nov. 22.

Sponsored by the Gurnee Police and Fire Departments, the Gurnee Community Church, and Fifth Third Bank, the event allowed walkers and runners to stretch their legs and stomachs for a good cause.

Cmdr. Jim Caldwell, from the Gurnee Police Department, said the event drew a good crowd, which it usually does, even if the weather was chilly.

“It was cold and windy for sure,” Caldwell said.

Because the event was not a sanctioned 5k, Caldwell said, times weren’t tracked for runners, and no prizes were awarded.

“This was strictly for fun,” he said.

Runners and walkers did seem to have fun at the event, as a father and daughter took to the route with construction-paper turkeys on their heads.

Callaghan was a student at O’Plaine School in Gurnee who died in 1997 from neuroblastoma cancer. As the Callaghan family requested, the funds raised have been used to help Make-a-Wish Foundation, Children’s Memorial Hospital Cancer Research, Gurnee Elementary School District 56’s program for learning-disabled students, and many others.

Each year, Gurnee Community Church Youth Work Camp participants raise funds to meet their goal of helping those who are less fortunate by building affordable housing.

Want to help?

Donation checks to the Turkey Trot can be made out to the Gurnee Turkey Trot and mailed to Fifth Third Bank, 7500 Grand Ave., Gurnee, IL 60031, attn: Brian Moy.

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