Community members gathered up on Thanksgiving morning, battled the wind and sub-freezing conditions, all to go out and run/walk the annual “Gobbler.”

“Weather in the past years has definitely been warmer than this one. I think that this is one of the coldest ones I’ve done yet,” sophomore Connor Emerson said.

The Gobbler is put on by the Student Council, and apart from choosing what goodies they are going to give away, the setup is quite easy.

“It’s actually pretty simple. The biggest thing that we have to plan ahead for is what we’re gonna order for prizes. Otherwise, the day off, it just gets here before people come to register and have all the paperwork that we need ready to go,” Student Council adviser Jennifer Leahy said.

For the members of Student Council, they are tasked with setting up tables, getting people to sign waivers, and drawing the participants for prizes.

“I got here around 8:15. We set up some tables, then we unloaded the prizes from Ms. Leahy’s car,” STUCO member Anika Pulvermacher said.

Not only are participants burning calories, but they are also donating them. Runners and walkers were encouraged to bring in cash and food items, all of which go back out into the community. 

“Everything that we’re collecting this year is going to go to the Berlin Area School District food pantry,” Leahy said.

The annual tradition is a Thanksgiving favorite for many, and is a great way to get into the spirit of togetherness and giving. 

“One of my favourite parts of the event is that it brings the community together and that’s awesome,” Emerson said.