LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Runners laced up their sneakers at Prien Lake Park Thursday morning for the Turkey Trot, a 5K fun run that brought the popular Thanksgiving tradition to Lake Charles.

The event combined movement, music and community while serving as a fundraiser for the Southwest Louisiana Law Center, a nonprofit that provides affordable legal services to families who fall between legal aid and private attorneys.

“The turkey trot is to benefit the SWLA Law center, we’re a nonprofit. We’ve been around since 1867. We exist to offer our services on a sliding scale income based structure, and so we do fundraisers like this to raise money and help us continue to provide affordable legal services to the community,” said organizer Misty Williams.

Participants said starting the day with a run provided both fun and health benefits. Doctors at the event said getting blood pumping early can help offset the big Thanksgiving meal many families look forward to later.

“We all know were gonna eat a good bit today, we’re gonna enjoy our days, our meal, and our families. So getting out before you start to eat helps you not feel bogged down, get that exercise in, and get those steps in. Keeping our blood pressure controlled, our weight controlled, even blood sugar and cholesterol,” said Dr. Donald Higgins, a participant and family medicine specialist.

Beyond the health benefits and fundraising, organizers said the goal was to bring people together, celebrate community and reflect on gratitude.

“I just love spending time with my favorite people, and with Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for these amazing girls I surround myself with,” said participant Mina Le.

Karen Seal said her visiting family members were eager to participate in the tradition.

“My brother and sister in law came into town for Thanksgiving, and they wanted to run a turkey trot, they were willing to drive to Beaumont to do so, but we found this one, so we came out here and ran and had a great time,” Seal said.

Organizers hope to build the same Thanksgiving morning tradition found in bigger cities, with the Turkey Trot quickly becoming a holiday staple at Prien Lake Park.

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Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, in partnership with God Behind Bars, hosted a father-daughter dance on Saturday. 

God Behind Bars is an organization that partners with churches and ministries nationwide to help meet the needs of incarcerated individuals and their families. The organization said the first annual Daddy Daughter Dance inside the Angola facility reunited fathers who had not seen their daughters in years. 

“When I turned around and saw my baby in that dress and she busted out crying…I sobbed, man, and I ain’t no crier. We slow-danced and she was crying again. I said, ‘Baby, why you crying?’ and she said, ‘Dad, I finally get a chance to dance with you for the first time.’” I told my brothers, ‘Look, brother…this’ll make you want to do right. If you ain’t doing right, bro, you got to do right,’” Leslie, an incarcerated father, said in a statement sent to Newsweek. 

Why It Matters 

God Behind Bars said the dance gave incarcerated fathers the opportunity to reconnect with their daughters.  

“Children with incarcerated parents are among the most vulnerable in America. Events like this matter deeply. Research shows that fatherless daughters face higher risks of low self-esteem, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and incarceration,” God Behind Bars said. 

Louisiana State Penitentiary Assistant Warden Anne-Marie Easely said in a statement sent to Newsweek, “It is so important for fathers to be involved in their daughters’ lives no matter where they are in order to break the cycle of incarceration, instill self-confidence and so many other things that fatherless daughters are more susceptible to.” 

What To Know 

A total of 37 daughters, from ages 5 to 20, and 29 fathers attended the dance. Professional makeup artist Jessica Haynes and others helped the daughters get ready for the event. Volunteers painted the daughters’ nails and touched up their hair. 

The fathers were fitted in custom tuxedos donated by Amor Suits months before the event. 

The prison’s Seminary Lecture Room transformed into a dance venue with decor and floral arrangements. Families shared a Thanksgiving meal together. 

The fathers also prepared a choreographed dance for their daughters. 

Each daughter received a gift bag with hair and beauty products donated by T3 Micro and a bible donated by Hosanna Revival. 

What People Are Saying 

Kevin, an incarcerated father, in a statement sent to Newsweek: “We’re supposed to be the worst of the worst and the hardest of the hardest…and we walk around like that sometimes. Seeing all of us together with our kids, the loves of our lives, with no masks…that was cool.” 

Jake Bodine, founder of God Behind Bars, in a statement sent to Newsweek: “It’s hard to put into words what took place at the first ever Daddy Daughter Dance inside Angola prison. I watched a group of men stand with pride and dignity, shedding every label the world had ever put on them. For one night they were not inmates. They were Dad. And the empty places in every heart were filled with joy, laughter, and a love only God can author.” 

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