About 200 volunteers help Elkhart County’s largest race raise funds for Faith Mission of Michiana, and Acts of Service helps bring new volunteers to the start line.
On Thanksgiving morning, thousands of runners and walkers will gather at The Delta on Jackson Boulevard in downtown Elkhart for the 18th annual Faith Mission Turkey Stampede. Last year the race drew 4,400 participants from 32 states, many of them in town visiting family, and organizers expect about 5,000 this year across the 10k run, 5k run, 5k walk, and 1-mile family walk.
“It’s the biggest running day of the year, and people love to do something on the morning of Thanksgiving,” said Grant Carlile, who, with Paula Turk, organizes the event on behalf of Faith Mission.
All proceeds go to Faith Mission of Michiana, the only shelter in Elkhart County that serves single men, single women, and families in one place. Since 1956, the mission has offered shelter, life skills and job training, mental health counseling, and free breakfast, lunch, and dinner year-round to anyone in the community.
200 volunteers, 20 ways to help
Turkey Stampede volunteers spend Thanksgiving morning outside, taking part in one of Elkhart’s happiest holiday traditions. The race depends on about 200 volunteers in roughly 20 roles. In the weeks before, the Cranberry Crew, a group of volunteers who take on leadership and planning roles, helps organize and promote the race. Other volunteers stuff race packets, which include each participant’s race bib and shirt, for packet pickup.
On race morning, volunteers direct parking, help the crowd find the starting corrals, staff water stops and point runners along the course, run the start and finish line, and hand out finisher medals, food, and awards before tearing everything down. Most race-day shifts start around 6 a.m. and end by 11 a.m. Each volunteer receives a race shirt and a winter hat and gloves for the chilly morning.
Every registration fee supports Faith Mission, so the thousands of runners and walkers on the course give back too, and volunteers cheer them on the whole way. “You hand people water along the course, and they cheer you on. You cheer them on,” Grant said. “Everyone at the Turkey Stampede gets a medal when they finish, so you can hand those out. People love that.”
At the same time, another group of volunteers at Faith Mission prepares and distributes more than 600 Thanksgiving meals to families. Grant keeps that in mind when race morning gets hectic. “I’m always reminded in the chaos that there are people who are eating today in part because of this event,” he said.
When Grant asks volunteers why they give up part of their holiday, he hears the same answer. “They know they’re going to have a great meal later today, and by participating, they’re helping other families have a great meal, too,” he said. Many return year after year.
Community connection through Acts of Service
The Community Foundation of Elkhart County sponsors the Turkey Stampede, and Acts of Service, an initiative of the foundation, helps recruit volunteers by sharing the opportunity with businesses and nonprofits across the county. “It’s a huge help that they have the network they have, and they leverage that network on our behalf to get volunteers to the event,” Grant said.
That kind of support goes both directions in Elkhart. Many organizations that show up for the Turkey Stampede each November host their own events throughout the year, and the Stampede team plans to help as friendships are made on the front lines.
Advice for volunteers and the groups that need them
Grant has volunteered since childhood, and he has advice for people on both sides of a volunteer sign-up. For nonprofits recruiting help, he says to spell out the details and keep asking.
“Get specific on the roles you want and the timeline for each role, and then be persistent in asking and sharing that information,” he said. “Things change, and people need time to make decisions. Being persistent looks more like a helpful reminder than being a pest.”
For anyone new to volunteering, he suggests starting with whatever is on their heart. “There’s no bar or expectation other than going to help,” he said. “If you never want to do it again, you don’t have to. If you love it, you’ve found a passion. The sooner you begin, the sooner you’ll know. Start with what’s on your heart.”
Volunteer shifts for this year’s Turkey Stampede are open on the race’s volunteer sign-up page, where the biggest needs are day-of packet pickup, course monitors, and start/finish line crew. Runners and walkers can register at turkeystampede.com, and Acts of Service posts current volunteer opportunities across Elkhart County at actsofservice.com.