For the past 20 years, more than 5,000 people and their pets have convened at Coolidge Park on Thanksgiving morning to support Chattanooga’s homeless by participating in the Grateful Gobbler Walk.

Due to the pandemic, we will have to commit to fighting homelessness without the amazing synergy of thousands of friends and neighbors in Coolidge Park proving that we are dedicated to the mission of The Maclellan Shelter for Families, which comes first. COVID-19 will eventually go away but homelessness will not and that's why we decided to host a virtual walk this year, Grateful Gobbler 2020 ReImagined! We will encourage families and friends to support homeless families on Thanksgiving Morning by walking, running, and strolling in locations in which they feel safe and can practice social distancing.

The cost to participate is $30 for adults and $15 for ages 12 and under. If you prefer to sleep in on the holiday, no worries, you can register as a Sleep Walker for $20.

Every dollar raised from the Grateful Gobbler Walk directly benefits The Maclellan Shelter for Families. We hope to raise $200,000 this year to cover the operating expenses of the shelter and also to ensure that every family has access to transportation and childcare as they search for employment opportunities and permanent housing.

Start a new Thanksgiving tradition while helping homeless families in transition by registering or making a donation at www.gratefulgobblerwalk.org or calling 423.847.5844.