Warwick Thanksgiving 2017: Turkey Trot, CCRI Crafts, Titans/Patriots Match

WARWICK, RI — There are three days left till feasting, friends and family converge in the start of the holiday season – here’s a look at city events and opportunities to volunteer:

Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017:

Thanksgiving 5K Turkey Trot, 8 a.m. Warwick City Park

Before you tuck in to the feast on Turkey Day, you can get some great exercise — and show support for local organizations like the Warwick Rotary and Warwick Public Schools. The race is race is kid, dog, and stroller friendly, and participants are encouraged to wear a costume. Non-perishable food item donations are collected during registration.

This year’s event benefits Kent Hospital K.E.E.P., The Warwick Rotary Charity Fund, & The Westbay Marketplace Food Pantry.

Registration kicks off at 7:15 a.m.

CCRI Crafts Fair 2017:

Ocean State Artisans again sets up shop at the CCRI Warwick campus, just off Rte. 2, for its annual two-day arts and crafts fair on Nov. 24 and 25, featuring more than 100 local artisans.

Admission is just $1 with donation of a canned food item — plus, you’ll be able to peruse one-of-a-kind and unique handmade items and support the local economy.

Proceeds from the show are donated to several local charities, most notably, the Rhode Island Food Bank.  Attendees of the show are encouraged to bring non perishable food for donation to the food bank.

There’s Plenty of free parking. Hours are Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Never been to the Crafts Fair? Check out some videos from past years.

Tollgate vs. Pilgrim, 10 a.m., Warwick Vets Middle School

The Pilgrim Patriots and Toll Gate Titans meet at Warwick Vets Middle School for the second year of a new Thanksgiving football tradition.

Toll Gate, which enters the game with a 6-3 record, good for third in DIII-B, won the inaugural match-up last year, 27-22. The Titans lost  to the Lincoln Lions, 34-18, in the Division II quarterfinals on Nov. 10.

Pilgrim will likewise be looking for some late-season redemption as it wrapped the regular season with a 3-7 record, seventh in DII-A. The Patriots won the last game of the prior Pilgrim-Vets rivalry in 2015, 46-12.

Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities:

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels delivers prepared dinners to elderly and other shut-ins throughout the state, deliver meals the day before Thanksgiving, and organizers always appreciate a little extra help.

Volunteers are vital to Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island’s ability to provide all of its services as cost effectively as possible. A variety of volunteer opportunities exist within the agency. To find out more, call 401-351-6700.

 Providence Rescue Mission

 The Providence Rescue Mission at 627 Cranston St. in Providence is in regular need of volunteers, including for their Thanksgiving meals for the needy.

To volunteer, call 401-274-8861, ext 110, or email [email protected], and fill out their online volunteer form.

The organization is also running the Providence Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Food Drive through Nov. 22. They have a list of food items they need to collect, and contact information, on their website.

Donate to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Warwick’s holiday store

“People can donate to our holiday store if they’d like. I attached a list of gift ideas. While the gifts may range in price, many of them can also be found at the store five below, so donating is very affordable,” said Eleanor Acton at the club.

Holiday Store Flyer. 2017

 

Do you know a place that needs volunteers? Tell everyone in the comment section below.