PORTSMOUTH — The Birch Tree Center and Seacoast VeloKids were the two surprise beneficiaries of the upcoming Seacoast Rotary’s 2015 Turkey Trot.

They were two of the 20 area organizations that collectively received more than $22,000 in grants during the Rotary’s annual awards reception held Wednesday evening at the Tyco Visitors Center at Strawbery Banke.

“We usually raise about $20,000 from the Turkey Trot that will be split between the two organizations,” said Briana Carrigg, Seacoast Rotary president-elect.

The Birch Tree Center in Newington serves students with autism from 21 school districts.

“With this grant money, we plan to bring the benefits of music to the school,” said Jessica Squier, director of development and communications for the center. “We’ll be able to purchase listening equipment and have an artist-in-residence to teach students how to communicate through music.”

Peter Mead, vice president of programs for Seacoast VeloKids said the organization has just started a cycling team at Portsmouth High School.

“It’s a healthy, fun sport,” he said. “We started with the elementary and middle school kids and run a summer ride program at Stratham Hill Park.”

This year VeloKids will host its third annual Family Mountain Biking Day on May 31.

Each grant recipient gave a little background of their organization and how the money would be spent.

Martha Stone, executive director of Cross Roads House, said the money would go towards new mattresses as they cycle out and replace about 25 percent of their mattresses each year.

“Last year we had 469 people use our shelter,” she said. “Three-fourths of our budget comes from donations.”

Lori Lampert of the Parents Music Club of Portsmouth High School said its grant money would go towards new band uniforms.

“This (money) will go to our nutrition and food program,” said Richard Wagner, executive director of AIDS Response Seacoast.

Seacoast Rotary Treasurer Steve Scott said the Turkey Trot draws about 3,000 people. The seventh annual event will be held on Thanksgiving Day.

“These are the true movers and shakers of the Seacoast,” said Seacoast Rotary President Matt Junkin.

Scott added that the awards reception was always “a fun event” and an opportunity for the organizations to connect with each other.

Grant awards ranged from $500 to $2,500. Other award recipients included Families First, PPMtv, Richie McFarland Center, New Heights, Seacoast Community School, Gundalow Company, Housing Partnership, Seacoast Family Promise, A Safe Place/SASS, Piscataqua Maritime Commission, PS21, Susan G. Komen VT-NH, Arts in Reach, Boy Scouts and My Breast Cancer Support.