SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 20, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Housing Trust Silicon Valley (HTSV) will be one of the key beneficiaries of the Ninth Annual Applied Materials "Silicon Valley Turkey Trot," founded and produced by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation. The Turkey Trot, which includes a 5K walk and run,10k run and a kid's fun run for the general public, will take place on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, starting in downtown San Jose at the corner of Santa Clara Street and Market Street at 7:45 a.m.
Over the last eight years, the Turkey Trot has generated more than $3.4 million for three local organizations, including the Housing Trust. In addition to supporting HTSV's affordable housing programs, this year's event will also raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, Healthier Kids Foundation Santa Clara County, and for a new, fourth beneficiary, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. Participants are also urged to donate canned goods. Last year, 25,000 pounds of food was collected.
Funds raised through the Turkey Trot play a critical role in HTSV's mission to make Silicon Valley a more affordable place to live. Participants will be directly helping HTSV stabilize neighborhoods, prevent homelessness, assist first-time homebuyers with loans, and increase the supply of affordable rental housing in the Bay Area.
"Housing Trust Silicon Valley was honored to be chosen as a standing beneficiary of the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot starting in its inaugural year in 2005," said HTSV CEO Kevin Zwick. "Over the years, the greater Silicon Valley has benefitted immensely by funds raised by the event. We are able to directly help the community's homeless get into apartments, assist families in need of security deposit loans, and work with first time homebuyers competing in an extremely tight market."
"The Turkey Trot is a fun family tradition providing much needed support for charities in Silicon Valley," said Joe Pon, vice president, Communications and Public Affairs, Applied Materials. "We are proud to have helped launch this community event and look forward to another year of record-setting participation."
Other Turkey Trot events include a 10k wheelchair race and both a men's and women's Elite Invitational 5K. Community members can also register for specific competition groups including CEO/Celebrity, Quickest Cop/Fastest Firefighter, and U.S. Military and Veterans.
Participants can choose to take part in a variety of race day contests. This year's events include a costume contest, a company-specific contest honoring the "Fittest Firm," a friend and family wellness option honoring the best race inspiration stories, and the Mayor's Cup for civic leaders.
To register for the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, please visit: http://svturkeytrot.com
For more information about HTSV: http://www.housingtrustsv.org
About Housing Trust Silicon Valley
Housing Trust Silicon Valley (HTSV) is among the largest housing trusts in the nation financing housing and assisting first-time homebuyers. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), HTSV is nationally recognized for providing the resources and leadership needed to make housing more affordable for those who want to live in Silicon Valley. Since 2001, HTSV has invested more than $75 million and leveraged more than $1.88 billion to create more than 9,953 housing opportunities. Of those served, 83% had household incomes below 86% of the Area Medium Income (AMI).