Lace up your running shoes and kick off the season of gratitude with Bridge to Home at its Third Annual Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday, Nov. 7 at The Paseo Club in Valencia.
The family-friendly event brings together runners, walkers, families, local businesses and community partners for a morning of fun, friendly competition and purpose. Proceeds benefit Bridge to Home and its work providing shelter, supportive services and pathways to permanent housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Check-in opens at 8 a.m., with the 5K beginning at 9:15 a.m. Participants of all ages and abilities are encouraged to join, whether racing for a personal best, walking alongside family and friends, rallying a team of coworkers or simply coming together to support their neighbors.
“Turkey Trot is about so much more than crossing a finish line,” said Dietra Clayton, Executive Director of Bridge to Home. “It’s an opportunity for our community to come together during a season of gratitude and make a meaningful difference for individuals and families working toward stability and permanent housing.”
The need for that community support remains significant. The individuals and families who arrive at Bridge to Home are our neighbors, people whose lives can change quickly following a medical emergency, job loss, family crisis or other unexpected event. Bridge to Home exists to meet people during those vulnerable moments and provide targeted, holistic services that help them move toward stability and achieve their long-term housing, education and employment goals.
The 2026 Turkey Trot is chaired by Jaime Annett of Thermal Horizons, who is helping lead this year’s event and rally local businesses, families and community members around Bridge to Home’s mission.
“Being part of the Turkey Trot is such a meaningful way to bring our community together around something that truly matters,” said Annett. “I’m proud to be involved with an event that combines community, connection and a little friendly competition while supporting Bridge to Home and the incredible work they do for individuals and families right here in Santa Clarita. At Thermal Horizons, we believe in showing up for the community we’re fortunate to be a part of, and I hope this year’s Turkey Trot inspires even more local businesses, families and friends to form a team, get involved and help us make our biggest impact yet.”
Now in its third year, the Turkey Trot continues to grow as a community tradition. Last year’s event welcomed more than 200 participants and 26 teams, demonstrating the Santa Clarita Valley’s commitment to coming together for neighbors in need.
This year’s event comes as Bridge to Home celebrates 29 years of serving the community. What began as a winter shelter in 1997 has evolved significantly over the years. In 2019, Bridge to Home expanded to year-round shelter and in July 2024 opened its new 18,000-square-foot Full-Service Shelter and Client Service Center. The facility includes shelter for 69 individuals, eight apartment-style family shelter units with capacity for up to 32 parents and children, and a supportive services center.
Bridge to Home is encouraging local businesses, organizations, churches, schools, families and groups of friends to create teams, set fundraising goals and challenge one another to see who can make the greatest impact.
Participants can register individually or join or create a team. Beyond completing the 5K, participants can turn every mile into an opportunity to raise additional funds by inviting friends, family members and coworkers to support their fundraising efforts.
Whether you run, walk, sponsor or fundraise, every Turkey Trot participant becomes part of the larger effort to help neighbors move from crisis toward stability.
Funds raised through the Turkey Trot help Bridge to Home continue providing services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
In 2025, Bridge to Home served more than 1,250 people across its programs, helped 72 households, representing 121 individuals, secure permanent housing and provided more than 100,000 meals to shelter residents and community members facing food insecurity. The organization also helped prevent more than 40 households from losing their housing through emergency rental assistance.
Bridge to Home’s services extend well beyond a bed or a meal. Clients can access case management, housing navigation, employment assistance, transportation support, education and training, connections to physical and mental health care, and assistance accessing mainstream benefits and other community resources.
Through Feeding it Forward, community members experiencing food insecurity can also access meals, warm showers, hygiene kits and laundry services. The program is designed to meet immediate needs while building the trust and connection that can open the door to additional supportive services.
Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate through sponsorships, corporate teams and community partnerships.
Sponsorship provides businesses with an opportunity to support Bridge to Home’s mission while engaging employees, building camaraderie and connecting with the Santa Clarita Valley community.
Companies can also create their own Turkey Trot teams and join the friendly race to catch Team NEOTECH on the fundraising leaderboard.
Community members are encouraged to register early, create or join a team, invite friends and coworkers and start fundraising.
Register for the 2026 Bridge to Home Turkey Trot here.
Interested in sponsoring? Visit the website here.
Related