On Thanksgiving, families are busily working in the kitchen, stuffing the turkey, mashing the potatoes, and chopping the vegetables. However, many SCDS families also worked hard to raise money for the 15th Run to Feed the Hungry.

The annual race at Sacramento State University, held on Thanksgiving morning, has been attracting more and more people. A record 28,000 raced this year.

Participants are urged to raise money in addition to the $50 entrance fee. Country Day teammates paid only $25 because the school has raised so much money, according to parent Mary Kessler, team captain.

All money is donated to the Sacramento Food Bank.

This year, the team of 148 students, parents and teachers, raised $9,874 of their $10,500 goal.

With the help of sophomore C.K. Keiner, Country Day was the leading team in fundraising, beating the St. Francis team, which had twice as many people.

"None of the other schools made it into the top 10. Maybe we can get some competition going next year, especially with Jesuit, Christian Brothers, Loretto and St. Francis," Kessler said.

Country Day was the first school team when it was formed three years ago. It set a trend—this year there were 16.

Keiner raised over $4,000, making him the highest individual fundraiser for a second year in a row. Last year, he raised $5,500.

He raises the money by mailing letters, making phone calls and approaching people he knows in person.

"I'm not pushy or demanding. I just say that any amount is okay because it's all for a good charity," Keiner said.

Kessler says the biggest challenge this year has been getting the teammates excited about fundraising.

"The food bank wants each team member to raise at least $100 and so far, only 19 achieved that [34 did some fundraising] of the 148 on the team," she said.

Next year, Kessler and Keiner hope to tackle this problem by giving a session to middle schoolers about fundraising.

Junior Marco Siragusa placed 35th of about 5,000 racers in the 10K.

"It was good competition," he said. "Knowing that at night, I would be sharing a big dinner with my family, running to feed other families was nice."

Aside from the festivities of race day, many enjoyed doing something good for the community.

"The event itself is very heart-warming—to see so many Sacramentans up early to help people that they don’t even know," Kessler said.