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11/15/2017 07:30 AMThe week before Thanksgiving is typically hectic with picking up the turkey, baking pies, and preparing for guests. For Russell Hodge, it’s extra busy this year with the final preparations for the 2017 Lenny & Joe’s Madison Turkey Trot.
As president of the Madison Jaycees and co-director of this year’s Trot, Russell’s holiday will begin at the Town Green, where he’ll be running around doing last-minute jobs while a few thousand participants gear up to run the course and earn their turkey dinner.
Russell joined the Madison Jaycees six years ago and completed a two-year term as its vice president, before stepping into the position of president for 2017/18.
“Being part of the Jaycees is a great way to give a lot back to the community — and that’s what they’ve been doing for more than 60 years. For people who are busy, it’s a really good way to achieve a lot without a great time commitment. It helps the group stay alive and make the events happen so that we raise money for the community.”
With more than 60 active members, most from Madison and Guilford, the Jaycees are still going strong – an impressive achievement for a community group that has run for six decades.
“The Jaycees have always been a positive group of people. We have lots of energy and share a common interest: the desire to help people,” Russell says.
“Every year, the Jaycees run three major events: the golf tournament in June; the triathlon on the Saturday after Labor Day, which has run for 32 years; and the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. With these three events, we consistently raise $60,000 each year and that money is distributed to local charities and causes.”
That list of local organizations supported every year by the Turkey Trot includes Shoreline Soup Kitchens, Guilford Meals on Wheels, Madison Meals on Wheels, Madison Community Services Food Pantry, Fair Haven Food Pantry, Women & Family Life Center, Friends of Hammonasset, Madison Land Trust, and Vista, Russell says. In addition, the Jaycees gives annual scholarships to seniors and donations to athletic teams at Daniel Hand High School and Guilford High School.
“We also pick other local causes each year; often it’s a local family who has been affected by the illness of a child or a parent. In the past, we’ve contributed to help build a handicapped ramp at the home of a local family, and we’ve purchased freezers for people who’ve lost a family member and their neighbors and friends have donated food but have nowhere to keep it,” he says.
“These are small but important donations, and there has been lots of them over the years. We don’t publicize when we do these things but the Jaycees are always looking to help our community.”
The Turkey Trot has long been a Thanksgiving tradition for many families, with the 39th Trot to be run next week.
“Lots of local people have started their Thankgiving day holiday with the Turkey Trot for decades. We have a few families with three generations of runners, and possibly we’ll have a four-generation family this year,” Russell says.
The Turkey Trot was originally staged at the Surf Club and when it grew too big organizers moved the event to Hammonasset, where it was held for more than 20 years, he says. Last year, there was construction onsite, so it moved again, finding the perfect home in downtown Madison.
The new location was very well-received by participants, residents on the course, local businesses and churches, the Madison Beach Club and the Country Club, and the Madison Police, Russell says. When it came to the question of keep it central or move back to Hammonasset, the answer was overwhelmingly to stay downtown.
“We’re very pleased with how the town has embraced the Turkey Trot downtown. We’ve had great cooperation from all involved and it made it a great success,” he says.
This year, several homes on the course are planning outdoor parties to cheer on the runners and there will be a live band playing at the East Wharf Beach to keep participants entertained, and plans are underway for a guest performance of the bagpipes at the finish line. It’s all part of the Jaycees plan to make the Turkey Trot more than a charity run.
“We want the Trot to be a great Madison community event. It’s going to be beautiful weather on a scenic course by the water, and it’s like a big celebration downtown. It’s a great way to earn your Thanksgiving afternoon and feel good about helping support your community,” Russell says.
Last year, more than 3,000 people took up the Trot challenge, with the figure as high as 4,000 in previous years. The numbers are weather dependent with a rush of sign-ups in the final days leading up to the event. Costumes are encouraged with some creative hats and a few giant turkeys taking to the course every year.
Participants and spectators are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items at the registration station, to be distributed to local food banks.
“The food pantries have always appreciated our food and monetary donations but they say that the need it as great as ever, if not greater. We want to make that happen, and by giving money to the Jaycees, you support these and many other local causes, year after year. If you can’t make it to the Turkey Trot, all donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated.”
Russell grew up in Guilford and moved away to live in Massachusetts, Philadelphia, and New York City, before returning to his home state. For Russell and his wife Jodi who also hails from Guilford, they were drawn back by the opportunity to raise their own children, Gus and Harrison, on the shoreline.
Professionally, Russell is an entrepreneur who has “a passion for starting and developing businesses” in many sectors, including hospitality, technology, real estate, and security alarms. The flexibility of the work allows Russell to base himself in Madison and to volunteer in the local community.
“For the past six years I’ve volunteered with the junior achievement program for first- through fourth-graders at Island Avenue School. I go in and teach for a day and it’s all about introducing kids to people in the community, links to careers, and entrepreneurialism,” he says. “I’ve also been a volunteer coach for my son’s soccer teams for seven years.”
Russell has a busy year ahead as Jaycees president.
“The Madison Jaycees have been doing an awful lot for an awful long time, and we want to keep that going. I’m very excited and lucky to be a part of this fantastic team, with many people who’ve been running these events before I joined,” he says.
“We are always looking for new Jaycees and new volunteers. We want to raise the profile of our group and strengthen our sponsorships. We’re building the next generation of membership so that the Jaycees continues to thrive.”
The Lenny & Joe’s Madison Turkey Trot starts at the Madison Town Green at 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 23. Both the five- and two-mile races finish at the Green. There will be road closures and limited parking downtown. The event’s many sponsors include The Source. For information and registration, visit madisonjc.co.