Wobble for a local charity

Thanksgiving mornings can be spent one of two ways: preparing a turkey for the oven or preparing to run a 5K. Who will you be this Thanksgiving? Mail File Photo.

Small maps like these will be given to participants on the day of the Gobble Wobble. Signs will also be displaced along the course. Mail Photo by J.T. Jones.

Employees at the Webster County Heath Unit display new shirts that will be given to the first 150 paid registrations on the day of the Gobble Wobble. Contributed Photo

Posted Wednesday, November 22, 2023 2:00 am

By John “J.T.” Jones johnj@marshfieldmail.com

Do you have free time on Thanksgiving morning and want to help a good cause? Consider participating in the 13th Annual Gobble Wobble hosted by the Webster County Health Unit on Nov. 23, asking that participants this year ‘Walk With Us To Help Them Walk Away.’

The 5k fun run will start and finish at the Webster County Health Unit, 233 E. Washington in Marshfield, rain or shine. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the run will start at 8 a.m. after Pastor Bruce Blankenship from Show Me Cowboy Church says a few words. Pre-register forms may be found by going to www.webstercohealth.com/gobble-wobble/, visiting the Health Unit’s Facebook page, in person, Monday-Friday from 7:30-4:30 or the day of the run. The registration cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children.

The first 150 paid registered will get a newly designed shirt, and prizes will be awarded to the first three finishers.

Sponsors for the event are ACIS IT Solutions, Las Cazuelas, Nextgen Diagnostic Services, Home State Health, Case Real Estate, Davison Spriggs Insurance, Brooks Gas Co., Sheila’s Place, Don Vance Auto Group, and Sport Shack. The top sponsor this year is Show Me Cowboy Church.

“The most important thing people need to know is that every penny of the registration fees and sponsorships will go to the local charity Safe Harbor,” said Lisa Tindall, Webster County Health Unit Nurse Supervisor.

Safe Harbor, formerly known as the Webster County Victim Assistance, located at 216 S. Crittenden St. for 23 years, has been helping abuse victims in various ways, including implementing safety plans, legal counsel, and directing them to the nearest victim shelter. They recently opened the Safe Harbor Thrift Store just a few buildings down 202 S. Crittenden St.

“Everyone is welcome to participate. Past participants have included young and old, and from strollers to wheelchairs,” said Tindall. “ You don’t have to run either, you can walk or jog too.”

The event, on average, ends at 10 a.m., leaving plenty of time to get home and cook the Thanksgiving food. So, come out and support a local non-profit organization. More information may be obtained by calling the Health Unit at 417-859-2532. We hope to see you there.