Volunteer Spotlight, Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park
Friends of Highlands Hammock State Parks are the recipient of the 2022 CSO Special Event of the Year Award for Resource-Based Recreation.
Just about every year in November, the Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park puts on the Turkey Trot 5K, and in 2022 the event marked its 30th year. For many campers and Heartland residents, participating in the Turkey Trot 5K is an annual tradition.
From 2013-2020, the Turkey Trot 5K grossed $76,340. Over the last 30 years, the number of runners has increased from 60 to more than 600.
This event is organized and managed by a group of volunteers who are passionate about putting on races in the local area. They also volunteer with the Central Florida Striders Timing Group, which helps with approximately 30 running events in Highlands County. Their involvement gives them access to chip timing for accuracy and measuring the success of the runners.
The key volunteers are:
- Chet Brojek has been volunteering for 26 years and has contributed more than 1,620 hours of volunteer time. Chet’s love of running began in junior high school and has carried him through 11 Boston Marathons.
- Arin Morton has served on the CSO board for almost 15 years. She has been the treasurer for nine years, handles the CSO membership and serves on the Hammock Inn Camp Store Committee. She has contributed more than 2,300 hours of volunteer service.
A small cadre of 10 to 20 volunteers also assist at the Turkey Trot 5K.
Congratulations to the Friends of Highlands Hammock on another successful year of the Turkey Trot 5K.
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