The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed many aspects of American life.  Our move to a virtual Montlake Turkey Trot has necessitated embracing these changes and finding creative solutions.  One of the first things we confronted was how to safely get race swag to participants.  We had a few volunteers willing to deliver locally and decided to mail packages to non-locals.  These plans all changed when Maxwell Burton, founder of the Seattle Pedaling Relief Project, contacted us about volunteering. This past weekend, Burton and race director, Tyler Mangum, put together an action plan and mobilized 18 bicycle volunteers to deliver race packages to 117 households, saving the race ~$1,000 in shipping costs!

Burton started the Seattle Pedaling Relief Project in Spring of this year when he found himself furloughed from the Cascade Bicycle Club and researching food insecurity.  He knew that a lot of his fellow bike enthusiasts had similar down time and an idea clicked.  Why not come together and see how they could help?  The mission of the Seattle Pedaling Relief Project is to further the use of the bicycle as a tool for social justice and combating food insecurity.  What that means in practice is that this group of ~350 volunteers delivers food from different food banks to families across the greater Seattle area on their bicycles.  Burton says they also perform “food rescues” from establishments that donate food to the food banks.  One of the added and perhaps unexpected benefits is the bicyclists have found an increased connection to their community.  Burton tells me that for many of his volunteers they used to view parts of Seattle through the lens of the bicycle route and a place to ride through, not necessarily as communities.  This project has allowed them to stop and get to know people in those communities.  They are feeling more connected as a result and gaining more understanding of the struggles many are currently facing. This was not something he anticipated, but thinks it’s an added bonus to the work they are doing to get food to those in need.

Burton and his organization serve 5 food banks throughout Seattle, including the University District Food Bank (UDFB), which is how Burton learned about the Montlake Turkey Trot. Since the Montlake Turkey Trot started in 2016, community building has always been part of our own mission and we are proud that we were able to partner with another organization, like the Seattle Pedaling Relief Project, that also values community.  Each year, we witness the strength of our community through our steadfast volunteers, eager participants, and generous supporters.  Folks like John and Carol Cordy, 41-year Montlake residents, eagerly give hours of their time each year to help with the Trot.  Additionally, we have brought on board new Montlake residents, like Tyler Mangum, who loved the event so much he agreed to direct it this year!  Board members from the UDFB, like Joseph Smith (pictured above), have also been helping in any way they can over the last four years.  Interested in getting involved?  Consider joining the Turkey Trot efforts now or in 2021. Burton says SPRP is also eager to have more volunteers.

You can still sign up for the Montlake Turkey Trot through tomorrow at midnight and donations will continue to be accepted through this weekend.  If you are just signing up for the race, are local, and want your swag before Thursday, email turkeytrot@montlake.net and we can arrange for porch pickup.  Otherwise, swag will be delivered after Thanksgiving.  While the donations and participation has been strong, especially considering the virtual format, we are still well short of our 2019 fundraising totals.  The UDFB is counting on us for this critical support!  Come on Montlake, let’s not let them down!

The current rate for the 2020 Montlake Turkey Trot ends at midnight on Friday November 20th. Be sure to register before then to get the lower registration rates! Swag will be mailed on Saturday.  If you don’t register by Friday night, it is very unlikely your swag will get to you before race day.  Additionally, we have limited inventory and if we run out we will have to resupply, which will further delay your shipment.  So don’t procrastinate, register NOW!!

The 5th Annual Montlake Turkey Trot has gone virtual with 100% of the fun and community benefits. What does a virtual race look like?  Basically- whatever you want it to.  On Thanksgiving day put on your race bib and custom Montake neck gaiter, pick your favorite 5K or 1 mile route and run/walk whenever you feel like it!  No waking up early, parking, or dealing with crowds!

A primary goal of this event is to raise money for the University District Food Bank and as of now, we are still $20,000 away from matching what we raised in 2019. The impacts of COVID-19 have hit those farthest from opportunity the hardest and the UDFB has seen an increase in demand as more people face food insecurity. The food bank is counting on us for support so don’t let them down! And don’t forget to supersize your support by making an additional donation to the UDFB right after you register! Feeling less ambitious and want to support the bank but not run or walk? You can still donate directly without signing up for the race! Just click the “DONATE” button.

Thanks in advance for supporting the 2020 Montlake Turkey Trot!

Calling all potential Turkey Trot Sponsors!  We are falling short of our sponsorship support.  While the cost of of the race is significantly less this year due to our virtual format, these critical funds help pay for the runners swag and the costs to ship them.  Ultimately, this enables us to increase our net proceeds that go directly to the University District Food Bank.  Did you know that the Turkey Trot is the second largest fundraiser for the food bank?  They rely on our community’s generosity to feed neighbors in need.  As you can imagine, demand for their services has increased dramatically during COVID and they need our support more than ever!

Our community is lucky to have committed sponsors year after year.  Despite all the challenges of COVID, local businesses Café Lago and Glam and Tonics continue to support the Turkey Trot by donating fabulous prizes. Thank you to both businesses for their generosity.  Other community members have also increased their support of the race.  Tyler Magnum, a Montlake resident and endurance coach, has stepped up to organize the race this year and has also donated 2 one-month custom training programs.  Carol and John Cordy, longtime Montlake residents and MCC board members, have enlisted help from their family and found a new sponsor in their daughter’s employer, Hilleberg the Tentmaker.  So even if you can’t sponsor yourself, maybe you have a connection to somebody that can.  Consider reaching out and asking!   

Sponsors are highlighted in communications to the runners and community-wide posts, being recognized as a community partner.  For more details see the sponsorship packet here or reach out to turkeytrot@montlake.net.  Thank you for considering sponsorship! 

Spending more time at home these days?  Why not fill your space with beautiful peonies and support the Hmong farmers of Pike Place Market and Montlake Elementary- ALL AT ONCE!  Each peony bouquet is $30.  Montlake Elementary will receive $10 for each bouquet sold.

Order by May 25th for pick up on May 29th.  Send your order to coxelisabeth@hotmail.com and direct any questions to courtneyawilliams@gmail.com

The Montlake Elementary PTA needs your help to virtually “Raise the Paddle” for Montlake Elementary and donate funds that are so critical to our neighborhood school.  Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the annual auction was cancelled and now the PTA needs to raise $94,000 more before the end of June in order to keep supporting Montlake at the current level.  That number is daunting, especially with so many facing economic hardships.  Please consider giving what you can.  The revenue from fundraising is critical in supporting fundamental programs like art, science, math and reading – as well as school counseling, tutoring and scholarships for enrichment. If these dollars are not raised, these things will be reduced or cut for the 2020-21 school year.

These are the staffing positions that the $185,000 PTA staffing grant will fund in 20-21.

• • Counselor (fully funded by PTA; 0.5 of a full-time salary).  We will not have a counselor without this money.

• • Art Teacher (Half is funded by PTA and half by the district to make up a full-time position.  Montlake’s art teacher, Jennifer Lundgren has won the Washington State Teacher of the Year and is a valued treasure to the school.

• • Library/Academic Interventionist/Tech Teacher (0.3 funded by PTA; combines with school funding for 0.8)

• • Elementary Assistant (0.3 funded by PTA; combines with school funding for 0.8)

• • Tutors (1.0 funded by PTA + school funding for 2.0 = 3 total)

Please don’t delay in your donations. While donations will be accepted through end of June, the PTA is hoping to reach their goal by May 15, so they can accurately forecast the budget for 20-21. To date, they have raised $27,750, 30% of the goal.

This is a hard request for the PTA to make as they know that many in our community are dealing with economic hardships – and many causes are vying for your attention and support at this challenging time. They thank you in advance for any support you can provide.