On November 23, hundreds from the neighborhood and surrounding areas made their way to the heart of the Village for the 13th annual Toluca Lake Turkey Trot and Fall Festival, hosted by the Toluca Lake Homeowners Association (TLHOA) and sponsored by numerous area businesses and organizations. The event marked the largest attendance ever for the yearly pre-Thanksgiving gathering and broke fundraising records.
“The Turkey Trot represents the very best of Toluca Lake — neighbors showing up for one another with generosity and purpose,” TLHOA board member Scott Morris says. “Watching the event grow year after year has been incredibly humbling and affirming. It’s more than a fundraiser; it’s a reflection of who we are as a community.”
In addition to participating in the spirited 5K run/walk and kids’ fun run, attendees heard remarks from master of ceremonies David Ono, TLHOA president Don St. Clair, L.A. City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian and LAPD Senior Lead Officer Kurtis Delbar; enjoyed performances by KMA Martial Arts, School of Rock and DJ Greg; indulged in a variety of treats at the food court; and explored an expanded kids’ zone and the first-ever Toluca Lake Wellness Collective — a curated race-day pop-up showcasing local health, fitness, nutrition and lifestyle brands.
Thanks to the generosity of participants and sponsors, TLHOA raised funds to support its own initiatives and made impactful donations to Fire Station 86 and East Valley Police Activity League Supporters (PALS), “charitable partners that do meaningful work benefiting Toluca Lake families, youth and first responders,” Morris says. Each organization was presented with a $15,000 check at the Turkey Trot and Fall Festival wrap party at Red Maple on February 24. There, TLHOA board members also expressed their gratitude to the Turkey Trot committee, led by Ruby Bowen, along with dedicated volunteers and steadfast supporters, for making the event yet another record-breaking success.
“The sense of joy, generosity and togetherness — along with the overwhelming support from volunteers and sponsors — made this year especially meaningful,” Morris shares.
