Thousands of people are expected to convene at Coolidge Park to burn off some Thanksgiving pre-meal calories while celebrating a long time Chattanooga Thanksgiving tradition on Thursday, Nov. 27, at the 15th Annual Grateful Gobbler Walk. The family fun event will begin promptly at 8 a.m.
One hundred percent of the proceeds of the walk will benefit the new Shelter for Homeless Families located onsite at the Community Kitchen on 11th Street. This shelter will feature 13 units with 64 beds and is the first emergency shelter of its kind in Chattanooga, as it will provide a stable environment for an intact family to remain together as they search for permanent housing solutions, said officials. Other emergency shelters in Chattanooga have gender restrictions that result in most intact families being separated. As a result, fathers with young daughters are unable to be sheltered with their daughters and mothers with young sons must be separated, sometimes those as young as nine years old.
Children, adults, and pets adorned in festive costumes along with community leaders and officials from the Grateful Gobbler Planning Committee are planning on participating in the walk.
Coolidge Park will be festive and buzzing with Grateful Gobblers beginning Wednesday, Nov. 26, as walkers will be able to pick up their registration packets and T-shirts between 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.