November 26, 2026 (Thanksgiving morning) will be the 5th year a local business woman will host a 5k run/walk which benefits two local programs that give back to the community at large. Stevie Gransee, owner of You Knead Therapy at The Main Alternative, started her venture with a small 5k including family and close friends to come together for a healthy activity, comradery and delicious Bloody Marys afterwards. What started with about 30 people participating and raising about $400 has grown into an event that draws in nearly 300 people from not only Dodge County, but surrounding towns as well as people from out of state!
Last year’s event brought in just over $10,000, the largest amount raised to date, that was split and donated to the Dodge County Food Shelf (SEMCAC) and the Dodge County Salvation Army, both exclusively serving Dodge County, MN. The Dodge County Food Shelf is able to use the funds raised to purchase much needed groceries to stock and have on hand for people in our community who need it most. SEMCAC is able to purchase more groceries per dollar than we as the public, so the cash donation can be stretched much farther than people purchasing groceries and donating them on their own. The Dodge County Salvation Army chapter is able to use funds to help community members in need when disasters cause hardships, including but not limited to house fires, flooding, etc. The Dodge County Salvation Army and SEMCAC do a lot of work in conglomeration with each other to support those in need within our county. We are quite fortunate to have both and the Turkey Day 5k is happy to give to them and uphold the motto “People Helping People.”
Stevie is always appreciative of any and all local businesses and people who wish to sponsor the event whether through monetary contributions that help pay for shirts and race medals for participants or by donating prizes (kids’ prizes, gift cards, etc.) for the drawings and costume contest. Many participants come yearly with their families and have made it a Thanksgiving morning tradition. Stevie and her fantastic group of volunteers (mostly family members and friends) enjoy giving back to the community and seeing familiar faces return year after year. Many come for the spectacular Bloody Mary bar (only for those ages 21+) that includes your normal fixings like pickles and olives, but also boasts locally made meat sticks, shrimp, many pickled items, hard boiled eggs, and more! No one has been disappointed! If Bloody Marys aren’t your thing, the Dodge County Salvation Army will be serving up coffee, hot chocolate, hot cider and water along with post-race snacks such as bananas, cookies and other goodies.
If you have not attended this event in the past you definitely need to make this event a priority. Not a runner? No problem! There is a nice mix of walkers and runners (some competitive, many not) and the 2.5k option is great for those with small children. Also, all participants are eligible to win prizes!
You may sign up by scanning the QR code on the poster, otherwise check out our Facebook event page, 5th Annual Turkey Day 5k, and find the sign up link in the discussion area. Be sure to register by November 10 at noon to be guaranteed a shirt.
If you would like to become a sponsor, please reach out to Stevie at sngransee@gmail.com with any questions or to get a copy of a sponsorship form. All sponsorships and donations are greatly appreciated and make the event that much more fun. Also, sponsors are highlighted individually in the weeks leading up to the event, so it’s a great way to showcase your business and have the community learn about what you have to offer.
