(Maricopa, AZ: 11-26-2009) Maricopa woke up to several Thanksgiving Day events.

The fun started with a Turkey Trot Fun Run. About 200 people arrived with the sun to run, walk or trot either a 2 mile course or a 4 mile course. The race started and ended with a police escort provided by the Maricopa Police Department. MPD helped with the event, which also featured donations of food to the Maricopa FOR Food Bank.

Later in the morning, Maricopa hosted the 3^rd annual Turkey Bowl flag football tournament. People of all ages came out to work up an appetite for Thanksgiving Dinner. Maricopa City Councilmember Marquisha Griffin used this event to help out the Mariano Family, who recently lost the mother of 2 young children in a tragic fire less than a week ago. (See http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-359848) People donated to the family with open arms. 2 victims, including a baby, are still in intensive care in the burn ward at a Phoenix hospital recovering from burns they received in the fire.

Donations to the family can be made at Wells Fargo. "The Michelle Muriano Memorial Fund" has been set up.

Maricopa UPS Store owner Taylor Werner is accepting clothing donations for both children at his store, 20987 N. John Wayne Pkwy. Ste. 104, during normal business hours - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Photos and story by Howard WaGGner