It's been a Thanksgiving Day tradition in Akron for the past 20 years and once again Thursday morning runners took part in the 21st annual Home Run For The Homeless to benefit Gennesaret's programs to feed and shelter the homeless. Conditions were ideal for the four-mile run, with sunshine and pleasantly cool temperatures.

It was a new experience for John Becker of Akron. Becker tells AkronNewsNow "This is my first year. The friends that we're with today, they do it every year. So, I really don't run very often. They convinced me to do it for the cause, also for the camaraderie . I brought some shoes which were also part of the donation project. It was a great experience. It was also a chance to spend some time with friends on a holiday, before the family affairs get started, and so it provides a good opportunity for that."

Hannah Minks of Akron thinks the race is a good way to help those in need. "It's already a good thing to run, and if you can run for a good cause, it's double good."

Lori Freund of Akron says she looks forward to the run every year. " This is kind of an annual thing for me, so I think its awesome this organization raises money for the homeless. It's a good way to spend Thanksgiving," says Freund.

62-year old John McCloud is an eight-year veteran of the Home Run For The Homeless. " I enjoy running, and the second thing is I really like to support the program here," says McCloud.

Dave Pulay of Akron summed up the feeling of many participants. " It's a good cause, and it just feels good to run when you'll be sitting around eating and doing nothing the rest of the day."

Home Run For the Homeless is  the all-volunteer non-profit organization's only fund-raiser for the year.