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.”