2020 Liberty on the Lake Turkey Trot
Donation protected
Liberty Residents,
The 15th Annual Liberty Community Turkey Trot is scheduled for Thanksgiving. The Turkey Trot is a non-competitive, community outreach run/walk event. The event will be a bit different this year, but just as meaningful.
As you may recall, every year, we choose a local, community minded individual to be the event’s Guest of Honor. This individual's community service record is recognized as part of the event, and the Guest of Honor’s favorite cause becomes the event’s official charity. Past Turkey Trot honorees include:
Nate Dreyfus, While still in grade school, Nate organized a neighborhood coat drive for the homeless.
Charity - Project Home via Nate’s Coat Drive
Mike Polehna, Current Stillwater City Councilmember, community volunteer
Charity - Stillwater Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program
Greg Thingvold, Retired U.S. Army Colonel and air ambulance pilot
Charity - Minnesota Military Family Foundation
Gary Kriesel, Former Stillwater City Councilmember and Current Washington County Commissioner
Charity - The Jon Francis Foundation
Thank you to all of our past Guests of Honor. Your community service and contributions are appreciated. So, how about this year? Que drum roll…
This year’s Community Turkey Trot honoree is Stillwater resident Tony Carr!
Tony is a former NBA star who currently speaks and writes about diversity, Inclusiveness, and multicultural awareness. While that’s remarkable, it’s only part of the story...
As a child growing up in the 1960’s, Tony endured his share of racial insults, but he was able to find peace and build friendships at the Stateline Boys and Girls Club in Beloit, Wisconsin. It was his safe place and where Tony fell in love with basketball. He was having fun and becoming a very good athlete. The Boys and Girls Club was a big part of Tony’s young life. So was his grandfather. While dealing with the challenges of growing up, Tony's grandfather would tell him that everything would be okay and that he was no different than anyone else. All of this gave Tony the courage and hope to dream big. Really big. Tony was starting to get noticed at the Boys and Girls Club. His skill and talent on the basketball court were remarkable and getting better everyday. He was on his way. Tony became a high school basketball star, and then joined the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire’s basketball team where he became the university’s career scoring leader. After college, Tony found himself on the US Olympic Trial Team and was eventually drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1982. He had arrived. His dreams and hard work propelled him past the Boys and Girls Club to NBA stardom. He was a professional athlete at the top of his game. But, something was missing. Tony started to become disillusioned with professional basketball. He wanted more out of life. Then, it happened. Tony’s grandfather appeared in a dream and told him that it was time to move on and look for more purpose in life. That’s what Tony did. He took his grandfather’s advice and walked away from fame. He left the Bucks and a lucrative sponsorship contract with Converse all behind.
But, what was his purpose. What was his grandfather talking about? The answer came quickly, and it is what brought Tony to Minnesota and Stillwater.
Tony quickly found that helping others was the purpose his grandfather inspired. That was the direction forward. Tony’s new career started when he accepted an offer to work at Merrick, Inc., where he spent 18 years working with the developmentally disabled. This kind of work is challenging. There are no TV cameras, cheering sports fans, or sponsorship contracts. But, that’s not what Tony was looking for. He just wanted to help other people. It is who he is. He knew that now. After his career at Merrick, Tony became a Regional Philanthropy Officer at the American Red Cross. He works to raise money for those in need. Tony’s purpose of helping others extends beyond his work at Merrick and the Red Cross and into the Stillwater community. Tony spent eight years as the Chairperson of the City of Stillwater Human Rights Commission, was a member of the Washington County Mental Health Advisory Board, and is currently a director with the Washington County Community Corrections Board. Tony is also a notable author and public speaker. He wrote the book Time Bring About A Change and regularly speaks about diversity, Inclusiveness, and multicultural awareness. Tony speaks nationally on a regular basis. Locally, he has been a featured speaker at the Stillwater Area High School, Mahtomedi High School, Bethel College, Washington County Government Center, Peace House, and many others.
Very few people accomplish what it takes to become a professional athlete. Even fewer walk away from it all to pursue a career and purpose of helping others. Tony is one of those rare people. We are very lucky that Tony and his family area part of our community. Thank you for all you do Tony!
While talking to Tony about the Turkey Trot, he has decided that he would like the event to raise money for The Washington County Historical Society. Tony is a fan of the Society and would like to help with their initiative to build a Heritage Center that willl provide a centralized location for long-term historical exhibits, local displays of area history, a research center, a classroom, gift shop, and staff office space.
To honor Tony’s contributions, give a nod to the spirit of his grandfather, and help the Historical Society, we have set up this GoFund me page for donations. Our goal is to collect $800 for the Society. This is consistent with the amount of money raised at previous Liberty Community Turkey Trots. The GoFund me page will be available starting now until the end of the day on Saturday.
Please plan to support this event with your participation and a donation. Also, please join me in thanking Liberty’s own Dr. Bijan Shayegan for helping to coordinate the event. Thanks Bijan!
Todd Remely
President
Liberty on the Lake
Master Homeowner’s Association
[email redacted]
The 15th Annual Liberty Community Turkey Trot is scheduled for Thanksgiving. The Turkey Trot is a non-competitive, community outreach run/walk event. The event will be a bit different this year, but just as meaningful.
As you may recall, every year, we choose a local, community minded individual to be the event’s Guest of Honor. This individual's community service record is recognized as part of the event, and the Guest of Honor’s favorite cause becomes the event’s official charity. Past Turkey Trot honorees include:
Nate Dreyfus, While still in grade school, Nate organized a neighborhood coat drive for the homeless.
Charity - Project Home via Nate’s Coat Drive
Mike Polehna, Current Stillwater City Councilmember, community volunteer
Charity - Stillwater Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program
Greg Thingvold, Retired U.S. Army Colonel and air ambulance pilot
Charity - Minnesota Military Family Foundation
Gary Kriesel, Former Stillwater City Councilmember and Current Washington County Commissioner
Charity - The Jon Francis Foundation
Thank you to all of our past Guests of Honor. Your community service and contributions are appreciated. So, how about this year? Que drum roll…
This year’s Community Turkey Trot honoree is Stillwater resident Tony Carr!
Tony is a former NBA star who currently speaks and writes about diversity, Inclusiveness, and multicultural awareness. While that’s remarkable, it’s only part of the story...
As a child growing up in the 1960’s, Tony endured his share of racial insults, but he was able to find peace and build friendships at the Stateline Boys and Girls Club in Beloit, Wisconsin. It was his safe place and where Tony fell in love with basketball. He was having fun and becoming a very good athlete. The Boys and Girls Club was a big part of Tony’s young life. So was his grandfather. While dealing with the challenges of growing up, Tony's grandfather would tell him that everything would be okay and that he was no different than anyone else. All of this gave Tony the courage and hope to dream big. Really big. Tony was starting to get noticed at the Boys and Girls Club. His skill and talent on the basketball court were remarkable and getting better everyday. He was on his way. Tony became a high school basketball star, and then joined the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire’s basketball team where he became the university’s career scoring leader. After college, Tony found himself on the US Olympic Trial Team and was eventually drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1982. He had arrived. His dreams and hard work propelled him past the Boys and Girls Club to NBA stardom. He was a professional athlete at the top of his game. But, something was missing. Tony started to become disillusioned with professional basketball. He wanted more out of life. Then, it happened. Tony’s grandfather appeared in a dream and told him that it was time to move on and look for more purpose in life. That’s what Tony did. He took his grandfather’s advice and walked away from fame. He left the Bucks and a lucrative sponsorship contract with Converse all behind.
But, what was his purpose. What was his grandfather talking about? The answer came quickly, and it is what brought Tony to Minnesota and Stillwater.
Tony quickly found that helping others was the purpose his grandfather inspired. That was the direction forward. Tony’s new career started when he accepted an offer to work at Merrick, Inc., where he spent 18 years working with the developmentally disabled. This kind of work is challenging. There are no TV cameras, cheering sports fans, or sponsorship contracts. But, that’s not what Tony was looking for. He just wanted to help other people. It is who he is. He knew that now. After his career at Merrick, Tony became a Regional Philanthropy Officer at the American Red Cross. He works to raise money for those in need. Tony’s purpose of helping others extends beyond his work at Merrick and the Red Cross and into the Stillwater community. Tony spent eight years as the Chairperson of the City of Stillwater Human Rights Commission, was a member of the Washington County Mental Health Advisory Board, and is currently a director with the Washington County Community Corrections Board. Tony is also a notable author and public speaker. He wrote the book Time Bring About A Change and regularly speaks about diversity, Inclusiveness, and multicultural awareness. Tony speaks nationally on a regular basis. Locally, he has been a featured speaker at the Stillwater Area High School, Mahtomedi High School, Bethel College, Washington County Government Center, Peace House, and many others.
Very few people accomplish what it takes to become a professional athlete. Even fewer walk away from it all to pursue a career and purpose of helping others. Tony is one of those rare people. We are very lucky that Tony and his family area part of our community. Thank you for all you do Tony!
While talking to Tony about the Turkey Trot, he has decided that he would like the event to raise money for The Washington County Historical Society. Tony is a fan of the Society and would like to help with their initiative to build a Heritage Center that willl provide a centralized location for long-term historical exhibits, local displays of area history, a research center, a classroom, gift shop, and staff office space.
To honor Tony’s contributions, give a nod to the spirit of his grandfather, and help the Historical Society, we have set up this GoFund me page for donations. Our goal is to collect $800 for the Society. This is consistent with the amount of money raised at previous Liberty Community Turkey Trots. The GoFund me page will be available starting now until the end of the day on Saturday.
Please plan to support this event with your participation and a donation. Also, please join me in thanking Liberty’s own Dr. Bijan Shayegan for helping to coordinate the event. Thanks Bijan!
Todd Remely
President
Liberty on the Lake
Master Homeowner’s Association
[email redacted]
Organizer
Todd Remely
Organizer
Stillwater, MN
