Runners wore a little more than just their go-to trainers and running gear for Bridge to Home’s second annual Turkey Trot on Saturday at The Paseo Club in Valencia.
Amid a heavy downpour, many wore heavy jackets, carried umbrellas, and by the end of the 5k, all were soaking wet.
Those who ran under the rain had a bigger mission in mind that couldn’t be stopped due to inclement weather.
Rain or shine, one thing was clear. In the Santa Clarita Valley, homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals is a priority for these residents, and their commitment to supporting Bridge to Home’s annual 5k and fundraiser reflected that.
Over 200 people of all ages, including some furry friends and children in strollers, completed the 5k and helped raise funds to support the local nonprofit organization’s efforts to provide safe shelter, warm meals, and life-changing support for families rebuilding their lives.
For many, the run wasn’t just about assisting in a monetary amount — it was also something that gave participants some insight on the extreme weather conditions homeless individuals endure.
“People came out here and said that our homeless children, adults, families don’t have the choice sometimes to be out in the elements, and they said, ‘You know what, I’m getting up today and I’m going to go support them,” said Mandy O’ Conner, director of development, as she took a pause from cheering on runners reaching the finish line. “It makes our hearts so full to know that our community steps up for our neighbors that need it most.”
“Everybody deserves shelter, a meal, dignity. Everybody needs to feel loved, and we hope that we do that … Homelessness is difficult to talk about. It’s a hard reality,” she said, adding that being based in the SCV is a privilege because fighting homelessness comes with a large amount of community support in the area, something that not many other neighboring cities experience.
This past year, Bridge to Home served 1,250 unduplicated individuals, which is the highest number served in the organization’s history. Over 100,000 meals have been provided through the shelter with the help of a hundred volunteers, O’ Conner said.
Cheering through a bullhorn, Bridge to Home Interim Executive Director Courtney Kanagi was filled with gratitude seeing the large number of participants for the Turkey Trot.
“Everyone deserves a home. This is pivotal for us. At Bridge to Home, we want everyone to be inside, we want to make sure that there are support services so they can remain housed,” she said. “Everybody goes through walks of life all the time, we all have instances we need support and at Bridge to Home really is that place that people can come to.”
The Bridge to Home leadership is made up of seven individuals including Tyson Pursley, who holds the title of clinical supervisor.
What compelled him to join the team almost five years ago was his inner self.
“My heart is very demanding, so it says ‘I need to take care of people’ and I’m like ‘OK, you’re the boss,’” he said, and even though the field may not pay much, he and others alike walk with a bigger purpose and that’s helping unhoused individuals in the SCV.
