Get Ready to Trot! A Blog by Gary Beytin
The 2026 VDS Turkey Trot Fundraiser!
Saturday, Nov. 7 • 8AM Start from the Clubhouse
-Sponsored by the Robin Hoods of VDS
Hello again to all my fellow Turkey Trotters!
The VDS Turkey Trot 2.5K & 5K Fundraiser is once again right around the corner! Join us on Saturday, November 7, at 8:00 AM from the clubhouse parking lot for a fun morning of walking, running, biking, and giving back to our community.
This year, we're excited to announce that The Hope Fund of Southshore is our beneficiary.
Meet The Hope Fund
The Hope Fund of Southshore is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization that has been serving the local community for more than 31 years. Its mission is to help at-risk children succeed through education, mentoring, and enrichment programs.
Learn more about The Hope Fund: https://www.hopefund.org/
The Hope Fund works with children in an after-school environment, helping them with homework, reading and comprehension, geography, and other areas where they need additional support.
But the program goes far beyond academics. Children can also participate in a physical education program called Kids Marathon, and they develop critical-thinking skills while learning to play chess.
One of the things that makes The Hope Fund especially meaningful is the personal relationship between volunteers and students. Volunteers work one-on-one with the same student each week, allowing them to build a strong bond and a mutually beneficial relationship over time. In fact, volunteers often say they feel they receive as much from the experience as the children do!
The Hope Fund also awards college and trade-school scholarships to at-risk students. First priority is given to students who have participated in their programs, but they also assist other at-risk children in the community.
Over the past year, The Hope Fund was able to provide 10 students with financial assistance for tuition, computers, and other out-of-pocket college expenses.
And there's an extra-special connection to Valencia Del Sol: several of our VDS residents currently volunteer with The Hope Fund, and the organization is run by one of our own VDS members. What a wonderful way for our community to support an organization that is already making a difference right here in Wimauma!
The Poker Run Is Back!
As we did last year, this year's Turkey Trot will once again feature our fun Poker Run, with prizes awarded at the end of the walk, run, or bike.
· 1st place: $100 Bistro gift card
· 2nd place: $75 Bistro gift card
· 3rd place: $50 Bistro gift card
And here's how you improve your odds:
-Complete the 2.5K and you'll receive 5 poker cards.
-Complete the 5K and you'll receive 8 poker cards — giving you an even better chance of putting together a winning poker hand!
New This Year: Donate & Enter to Win!
Maybe walking, running, or biking isn't your thing — but you'd still like to support The Hope Fund. We've got you covered!
This year, anyone who makes a donation but doesn't participate in the Trot will receive our heartfelt thanks for supporting this wonderful cause plus a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of several fun prizes!
· Turkey Trot T-shirts
· A 24-inch television
· A Martha Stewart knife set
· A Pantry Maid coffee maker
There's just one catch: You must be present at the end of the event for the drawing, which will take place at approximately 9:00 AM.
Ready to Trot? Registration Required!!!
Registration is required to participate in the Turkey Trot. You can register — and pay! — securely online at: www.robinhoodsvds.com/register
Whether you walk, run, bike, play the Poker Run, make a donation, or simply come out to cheer everyone on, your participation helps make a difference in the lives of local children.
So lace up those sneakers, grab your friends and neighbors, and get ready for another fun-
filled Turkey Trot at Valencia Del Sol. Let's come together as a community, have some fun, and help The Hope Fund continue its important work with the children of Wimauma.
We can't wait to see you at the starting line on Saturday, November 7! 🦃🏃♀️🏃♂️
Comments