Valley residents carve out time for Thanksgiving Day activities

Treasure Valley residents were out and about on Thanksgiving Day.

▪  More than 6,000 people began the day with the 5K Turkey Day Run in Downtown Boise. Sponsored by Shu’s Idaho Running, the fifth annual race raised $20,000 for the Special Olympics, Boise Rescue Mission and Girls on the Run.

“I’m out here to earn calories for later,” said Dixie Milliken, dressed as a turkey. “And it’s for a good cause.”

▪  After 10 a.m. Mass at Saint Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral, about 40 people gathered in the fellowship hall for a potluck Thanksgiving dinner, a tradition that goes back 33 years. “It’s a good thing,” says retired deacon Mary Lou Weiner, who started the dinner. “It’s a sense of family.”

▪  While kids made the best out of the snow that lingered in Camel’s Back Park, bundled up shoppers took part in a less-active outdoor activity, waiting patiently in the cold for Cabela’s and Best Buy to open. “I’ve met a lot of nice people,” says Sharon, who wouldn’t give her last name. She was about No. 11 in line at Best Buy. “I can’t think of a better way to spend Thanksgiving — with strangers, making new friends.”

To continue the Thanksgiving spirit, remember the annual Soroptimist wish list that ran in the Statesman’s Thanksgiving Day issue. To fulfill a holiday wish for someone on the list, visit Soroptimist International of Boise’s webcart. Soroptimist members will be available to help via phone at 208-639-5749 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Also don’t miss Anna Webb’s next Helping Works column on Tuesday. It includes more donation opportunities, including the annual kids’ shopping spree through Boise Parks & Rec, and the Pajama Drive.

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 12:17 AM with the headline "Valley residents carve out time for Thanksgiving Day activities."