Make a difference this Thanksgiving! Join Sheep Dog Impact Assistance in honoring Fallen Heroes, supporting Veterans and First Responders, and bringing the Northwest Arkansas community together through service.
Every Thanksgiving morning, the Northwest Arkansas community gathers for a meaningful tradition: the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K in Rogers, Arkansas.
More than a Thanksgiving race, the Turkey Trot for Heroes is an opportunity to remember the brave military service members and First Responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others.
It’s a morning of remembrance, gratitude, camaraderie, and community.
And behind every successful event is a dedicated team of volunteers who make it possible.
This year, we need YOU!
As preparations begin for the 2026 Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance is calling on individuals, families, businesses, and community groups throughout Northwest Arkansas to help make this meaningful Thanksgiving tradition a success.
Volunteer Opportunities at the 2026 Turkey Trot for Heroes
Whether you’re a longtime SDIA supporter or looking for a new way to give back this holiday season, volunteering at the Turkey Trot for Heroes is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Volunteers are needed to support several aspects of the event, including:
Pre-Race Preparations: Help our team organize and prepare for an incredible Thanksgiving morning.
Registration and Packet Pickup: Welcome participants, assist with check-in, and help runners and walkers prepare for race day.
Race Day Support: Assist with volunteer assignments and event operations to help create a safe, organized, and memorable experience for everyone involved.
From behind-the-scenes preparations to cheering on participants, every volunteer plays an important role in bringing this event to life.
Ready to serve?
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE 2026 TURKEY TROT FOR HEROES
All available volunteer opportunities and shifts can be found through our official volunteer registration page.
A Meaningful Way to Give Back This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a season of gratitude, reflection, and connection.
For the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance community, it is also an opportunity to turn that gratitude into action.
The Turkey Trot for Heroes brings together Veterans, First Responders, military families, volunteers, local businesses, and community members who share a commitment to honoring service and sacrifice.
Throughout the event, participants are reminded that behind every Fallen Hero is a story, a family, and a legacy that deserves to be remembered.
Volunteering helps ensure those stories continue to be shared.
Whether you’re helping prepare race materials, welcoming participants, or supporting activities along the course, your time contributes to something greater than a single event.
You are helping a community remember, honor, and serve.
Families, Businesses, and Corporate Volunteer Teams Welcome!
Looking for volunteer opportunities in Northwest Arkansas this Thanksgiving season?
The 2026 Turkey Trot for Heroes is a wonderful opportunity to serve alongside friends, family members, coworkers, and fellow community members.
We welcome:
Individuals looking to give back to their community
Families interested in volunteering together
Veterans and First Responders
SDIA members and supporters
Local businesses and corporate volunteer teams
Community organizations and service groups
Whether you have a few hours to contribute or would like to organize a larger volunteer group, there is an opportunity to get involved.
Interested in bringing a corporate team or large group?
Contact Info@sheepdogia.org for assistance coordinating your volunteer participation.
Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Through Community Action
At the heart of the Turkey Trot for Heroes is a commitment to remembering those who gave their lives in service to others.
Each year, SDIA honors Fallen Heroes from our military and First Responder communities, sharing their stories and ensuring their sacrifices are not forgotten.
The event’s Wild Gobbler Race includes dedicated Fallen Hero stations along the 5K course, inviting participants to reflect on the lives and legacies of these extraordinary individuals.
These moments of remembrance transform an ordinary Thanksgiving race into a powerful tribute.
For the families and loved ones of our Fallen Heroes, knowing that their community continues to remember can carry profound meaning.
And for volunteers, helping make those moments possible is a special way to serve.
Supporting Veterans and First Responders Beyond Race Day
The Turkey Trot for Heroes also supports the ongoing mission of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance: Engage, Assist, and Empower our nation’s Veterans and First Responders to Get Off The Couch™ and live their best lives.
Through our programs, SDIA provides opportunities for Veterans and First Responders to reconnect with purpose, build meaningful relationships, and continue serving their communities.
Our three primary mission pillars include:
Warrior PATHH
Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Helping Heroes) is a transformative, nonclinical training program designed to help Veterans and First Responders turn struggle into strength through Posttraumatic Growth.
Outdoor Adventures
Our Outdoor Adventures encourage Veterans and First Responders to reconnect with themselves, one another, and the world around them through shared challenges, outdoor recreation, and camaraderie.
Continued Service and Disaster Response Missions
Through Continued Service and Disaster Response Missions, Sheep Dogs have opportunities to put their skills, leadership, and commitment to service into action by assisting communities in need.
When you volunteer at the Turkey Trot for Heroes, you are supporting more than a race. You are helping advance a mission that serves those who have served us.
How to Volunteer for the 2026 Turkey Trot for Heroes
Getting involved is easy!
Step 1: Explore Volunteer Opportunities
Visit the official volunteer registration page to view available shifts and assignments.
Step 2: Choose Your Volunteer Shift
Select the opportunity that best fits your schedule and interests.
Step 3: Invite Others to Serve
Encourage friends, family members, coworkers, and community groups to join you.
Step 4: Make a Difference
Show up ready to serve, honor our Fallen Heroes, and help create a memorable Thanksgiving experience for the Northwest Arkansas community.
For volunteer assistance or large group registration, email Info@sheepdogia.org.
Want to Participate in the Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K?
Not available to volunteer?
You can still be part of this meaningful Thanksgiving tradition!
Join us on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2026, in Rogers, Arkansas, for the Turkey Trot for Heroes 5K.
Whether you run, walk, participate in the Wild Gobbler challenge, or simply come to support the community, your participation helps honor our Fallen Heroes and support the SDIA mission.
This Thanksgiving, Give the Gift of Service
The Turkey Trot for Heroes is made possible by people who believe that remembrance should inspire action.
Every volunteer shift filled, every participant welcomed, and every Fallen Hero honored contributes to a tradition rooted in gratitude and service.
This Thanksgiving, we invite you to be part of that tradition.
Give a few hours. Bring a friend. Gather your team. Make a difference.
Together, we can honor our Fallen Heroes, support our nation’s Veterans and First Responders, and demonstrate the power of a community united in service.
Thank you for helping us remember their service, honor their sacrifice, and carry their legacies forward.
Engage. Assist. Empower.
Get Off The Couch™.