Thanksgiving events return to Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch

Two Thanksgiving traditions — one more than a quarter-century old, the other much younger — are returning to Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch next week.

First up is the 26th annual Rancho Bernardo Thanksgiving Luncheon, set to begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 with a reception followed by a traditional Thanksgiving meal at noon in the Rancho Bernardo Inn’s Aragon Ballroom, 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive.

Several hundred people, including residents, business representatives, government leaders and those in community service organizations, gather each year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to express gratitude for their blessings.

The luncheon is also a way for them to reconnect before the busy holiday season while raising money for Rancho Bernardo’s endowment and community grants program operated by the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation. Money comes from tickets, sponsors, a silent auction and opportunity drawing.

Last year $67,000 was presented to local non-profits, ranging from school groups to those benefiting seniors. During the luncheon the 2015-16 grants will be presented.

Luncheon tickets are $50. Each includes entry into a drawing for three prizes — an overnight stay at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, a sailing opportunity and dinner with firefighters at Fire Station No. 33 in Rancho Bernardo. Additional drawing tickets may be purchased. Winners must be present.

To buy a luncheon ticket, go to rbcommunityfoundation.org and click on the luncheon link. To pay by check, contact Andrea Brady at 619-814-1363 or andreab@sdfoundation.org.

On Thanksgiving morning, locals and out-of-towners will help two charitable causes during the sixth annual Thank You Run in 4S Ranch.

Options are a 10K, 5K and 1K Kids Fun Run. The latter is for ages 8 and below, though children are welcome to run in the longer courses too.

It will begin at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26 with the 5K, followed by the 10K at 7:40 a.m. and fun run at 9 a.m. The 5K and 10K include running throughout the neighborhood and onto dirt trails adjacent to 4S Ranch Community Park. The fun run course is contained to a loop within the park.

Everything will start and finish in 4S Ranch Community Park, 16118 4S Ranch Parkway. Participants and their families may also partake in the post-race family festival with a Karl Strauss beer garden for those 21 and older.

Advance registration fees are $45 for the 5K, $55 for the 10K and $20 for the fun run. Register at thankyourun.org. Pick up run packets from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 at the Shay Realtors Community Hub, 10550 Craftsman Way, Suite 184 in 4S Ranch. If picked up on race day there is a $5 convenience fee. For questions, send an email to info@thankyourun.org.

Day-of-event registration is $50 for the 5K, $60 for the 10K and $25 for the fun run. Registration will open at 6 a.m. in the park.

Participants will receive a finisher’s medal and T-shirt. The 5K and 10K participants will also get a timing chip and if over 21, a post-race beer.

There will be awards for the top three overall male and female finishers in the 5K and 10K plus awards for the first overall finisher in various age groups.

Last year’s run had 1,252 participants and around $20,000 was raised. Proceeds are divided between the 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation for its community grants program and endowment; and Helen’s Closet, a non-profit that through the ALS Foundation provides equipment to those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease) to improve their quality of life. This includes walkers, wheelchairs and ramps.