WAYNE, PA (Dec. 5, 2024) – More than 1,000 runners and walkers braved the rain on Thanksgiving morning for the Eighth Annual Wayne Turkey Trot, and one special runner with four legs helped lead the pack through downtown Wayne. Onyx, a member of the Radnor Police K-9 unit, and his handler, Officer Brett Greaves, raced in the 5K presented by lead sponsor, FS Investments, along with McAdam Financial, Aqua Pennsylvania, Relay Network, and Campus Apartments
Onyx is a five-year-old German Shepherd and well known in the local law enforcement community for helping with major drug busts across the Delaware Valley. On Thanksgiving Day, he put his energy into joining community members to help raise $40,000 for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia Financial Scholars and the Radnor Township Police Department’s K-9 unit. This year’s event raised $10,000 more than last year.
“We are thrilled this has become a tradition for so many families and we are proud to support such great organizations,” said Mike Gerber, partner at FS Investments and founder of the Wayne Turkey Trot. “This year was even more special with Officer Greaves and Onyx leading a record number of participants.”
Onyx has been with the Radnor Police K-9 Unit since he started training as a puppy in 2019. He was a stray living in Louisiana before being rescued by a shelter in Schuylkill County, where Officer Greaves adopted him. It did not take long for Officer Greaves to realize Onyx possessed many unique skills that eventually helped him complete the K-9 training academy and become a member of the Radnor Township Police Department. Five years later, he remains an integral part of the K-9 unit as he assists with narcotics investigations and supports the Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspector and the Drug Enforcement Agency. Gerber, who lives in Wayne with his family, knew of Onyx’s history and welcomed him and Radnor Township officers to this year’s event, as the department has been an avid supporter and beneficiary of the funds raised from the annual 5K.
“We could not be prouder of Onyx and the service he provides our community every day,” said Radnor Township Police Superintendent Christopher B. Flanagan. “This special event recognizes the importance of all of us working together to support charities and foundations that make a positive impact in our communities.”
“The annual Wayne Turkey Trot marks a special occasion where so many are willing to spend their holiday giving back to others,” said Abigail Mulhern, Sr. Manager of Growth and Operations, CHOP. “Partners like the FS Foundation and events like these always remind us of all the support we have throughout the region. We are thankful to be part of a community that helps bolster our work to make a positive impact on the children and families we serve and care for every day.”
“Philadelphia Financial Scholars is so grateful for the participants and sponsors of the Wayne Turkey Trot,” said Kerry Woodward, Executive Director of Philadelphia Financial Scholars. “This support will help our organization expand access to comprehensive financial empowerment education to students and their families across the region.”
The record success of this year’s Turkey Trot is a credit to the tremendous volunteer support from my colleagues at FS Investments, our other sponsors and the Radnor township Police Department,” said Gerber. “It’s true community effort.”
About FS Investments
FS Investments is a global alternative asset manager dedicated to delivering superior performance and innovative investment and capital solutions. The firm manages over $ 82 billion in assets for a wide range of clients, including institutional investors, financial professionals and individual investors. FS Investments provides access to a broad suite of alternative asset classes and strategies through its best-in-class investment teams and partners. With its diversified platform and flexible capital solutions, the firm is a valued partner to general partners, asset owners and portfolio companies. FS Investments is grounded in its high-performance culture and guided by its commitment to building value for its clients, investing in its colleagues and giving back to its communities. The firm has more than 500 employees across offices in the U.S, Europe and Asia and is headquartered in Philadelphia.
About FS Foundation
The FS Foundation is the philanthropic arm of FS Investments. It aims to positively impact communities through championing civic leadership, volunteerism and philanthropy at all levels of the firm. Visit www.fsinvestments.com/about/fs-foundation to learn more.
About Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
A non-profit, charitable organization, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, the 595-bed hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. The institution has a well-established history of providing advanced pediatric care close to home through its CHOP Care Network, which includes more than 50 primary care practices, specialty care and surgical centers, urgent care centers, and community hospital alliances throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as the Middleman Family Pavilion and its dedicated pediatric emergency department in King of Prussia. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit https://www.chop.edu.
About Radnor Police K-9 Unit
Radnor K9 unit started in in 2014, German shepherds “Rocky” and “Bear” who were the legacy leaders of the new bomb detection unit for the Radnor Police Department. The RPD K-9 Unit patrols all of Radnor Township with the support of the Radnor Board of Commissioner’s. The K-9 Unit is in need of support and looking to add a companion support K9 dog in 2025. This year’s funds will directly support the growth and operations of the K-9 Narcotics-Bomb detection K-9’s.
Donations to help the Radnor Police K-9 Funds can be made out to Radnor Police K-9 Fund, 301 Iven Avenue, Wayne PA, 19087.
About Philadelphia Financial Scholars
Philadelphia Financial Scholars believe access to financial and entrepreneurship education is critical to overcoming systemic economic barriers. The Philadelphia Financial Scholars program includes curriculum and professional development for daily in-school financial empowerment education, entrepreneurship enrichment powered by corporate volunteers, a summer business accelerator and experienceship opportunities, and evening financial empowerment workshops for adults in our school communities. Philadelphia Financial Scholars currently partners with 28 high schools and has reached thousands of students and families. https://philadelphia.financialscholars.org/