(LOS ANGELES, CA – November 24, 2016) – For the first time, the UAE Consulate in Los Angeles was the presenting sponsor of the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot distance run; attracting more than 5,000 runners. A popular community event, the race reflects the diversity of Los Angeles, drawing participants of all backgrounds and athletic abilities.
The Thanksgiving holiday is an opportunity for Emiratis and Americans to come together as friends and partners to express their shared gratitude and appreciation, and help those in need. As such, the Los Angeles Turkey Trot presented a unique opportunity to highlight shared bilateral interests and values.
In addition to UAE Consul General Abdulla Alsaboosi, other dignitaries who attended the race included Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Midnight Mission CEO Michael Arnold and Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council President Patti Berman.
“The UAE Consulate in Los Angeles is proud to be the presenting sponsor and support the Midnight Mission’s work to help people in need get back on their feet,” said Consul General Abdulla Alsaboosi. “I’m lucky to call Los Angeles my second home, and happy that the UAE can help support such a great cause. The UAE and US are close friends, and there is no better day than Thanksgiving to highlight how both countries share common values and are united for a better future."
For the past three years, the LA Turkey Trot has supported the Midnight Mission. The Midnight Mission, has provided services and meals to the area’s homeless population for over 100 years. Not only providing more than 30,000 meals a day to the underprivileged population, the organization supports a path to self-sufficiency. Their work is vitally important given that for the second year in a row, Los Angeles reported the largest number of chronically homeless people in the nation — nearly 13,000. This has made homelessness a top local priority. In addition to supporting the race itself, the UAE Consulate General made a monetary donation to the Midnight Mission to support their programs.
Also, to support the race, and help raise proceeds for the Midnight Mission, the UAE national airline, Etihad Airways, raffled four round trip tickets to any Etihad destination system wide.
