10th Annual “Turkey Trot”

For the 10^th consecutive year athletes from Long Beach Polytechnic High School’s swim and water polo teams are raising food and awareness for Lutheran Social Services Long Beach.

“Long Beach Poly is located in inner city Long Beach,” said Kalani Caldwell, a teacher and girls’ swim coach. “I think a lot of our students that come to Poly are not necessarily from this area. They haven’t really experienced what it’s like to grow up in this neighborhood hungry.”

Around 50 students are expected to participate in the 10th anniversary of the run before heading back to campus to cheer on their counterparts on the Boys Varsity Water Polo team in the CIF Southern California Division III Regional semifinals at L.A. City Section champion Palisades.  What a generous way to kick off the semifinals! Each athlete will carry at least one canned food item in the 3/4-mile run from Long Beach Poly to the Lutheran Social Services Long Beach offices.

“I think it’s important for the youth to be able to get involved and see that there are needs in their surrounding community,” said Wendy Rubio, Program Manager for Lutheran Social Services.

Lutheran Social Services Long Beach serves more than 1,000 people struggling with poverty every month.

“I think it’s important to give back because it does give us a sense of humanity and generosity that a lot of people forget in the climate we currently live in,” said former Jackrabbit and student athlete, Kris. “Being able to do such a simple act of kindness reminds us how we should treat each other.”

 Located in the city of Long Beach, LSS Long Beach/ South Bay serves over 1,000 individuals and families each month through a comprehensive emergency assistance program. Assessing the client’s overall condition at intake, our staff and benefit specialists tailor programs and partner resources to individual need and engagement. Equipping those we serve with self-empowering tools and solution-based resources, we patiently walk alongside our clients on the road to independence.

We expect around 50 students to participate in the 10th anniversary of the run before heading back to campus to cheer on their counterparts on the Boys Varsity Water Polo team in the CIF Southern California Division III Regional semifinals at L.A. City Section champion Palisades.  What a generous way to kick off the semifinals!

The students are expected to depart campus between 1:30pm – 1:45pm and arrive at the Long Beach offices around 2pm where they will deliver the non-perishable items to cheering staff and volunteers.