Student Santas help underprivileged
Bailey Reutzel
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Campus Events
On Saturday, Oct. 24, over 200 Student Santa's got up at 7 am in 40 degree weather to run the first annual Sweatin' with Santa 5K run in Jackson, raising money to make sure that all children in this area have a "Merry Christmas" this year.
Student Santas is a group of people, community members and Southeast students that collect money to buy underprivileged children presents during the holiday season. This group has been around spreading the holiday cheer for four years, but this year was the first time they put on a 5K fundraiser run, said Jennifer Icaza-Gast, director of the event and a Professor in the Dept. of Communication Studies at Southeast. "Before we always relied on donations from individuals and businesses."
Icaza-Gast explained that the idea came from the awareness of people, students especially to stay fit and healthy. "I thought students in particular would like it[the run]." Icaza-Gast was right.
"I'm just out here for fun, but also because this is a good cause… and I get bonus points," said Amy McGarry, a freshman at Southeast who has a class with Icaza-Gast.
Ashlee Hebel, a junior at Southeast and part of the Southeast softball team said, "I'm not only running because this is a great cause, but also to work out."
Hebel's boyfriend and sophomore at Southeast, Donald Foulk was optimistic even with the chilly weather . "It's cold, but at least it's not raining." Foulk has two classes with Icaza-Gast and supports her cause.
Another reason the group decided on hosting a 5K run was because of the shortage last Christmas. "Last year I spent $2500 from my own pocket because we didn't buy enough toys and I didn't want to leave one letter unheard," Icaza-Gast remembers. She hopes to increase the number of toys to 8000 this year; 2000 more than last year. "With the economy bad, I believe there will be even more letters sent in this year."
"I'm really proud of how the race went overall. People had a good time and some runners remarked on how much they enjoyed the course," said Icaza-Gast, "Some mentioned that they were going to bring their friends next year."
Student Santas is a group of people, community members and Southeast students that collect money to buy underprivileged children presents during the holiday season. This group has been around spreading the holiday cheer for four years, but this year was the first time they put on a 5K fundraiser run, said Jennifer Icaza-Gast, director of the event and a Professor in the Dept. of Communication Studies at Southeast. "Before we always relied on donations from individuals and businesses."
Icaza-Gast explained that the idea came from the awareness of people, students especially to stay fit and healthy. "I thought students in particular would like it[the run]." Icaza-Gast was right.
"I'm just out here for fun, but also because this is a good cause… and I get bonus points," said Amy McGarry, a freshman at Southeast who has a class with Icaza-Gast.
Ashlee Hebel, a junior at Southeast and part of the Southeast softball team said, "I'm not only running because this is a great cause, but also to work out."
Hebel's boyfriend and sophomore at Southeast, Donald Foulk was optimistic even with the chilly weather . "It's cold, but at least it's not raining." Foulk has two classes with Icaza-Gast and supports her cause.
Another reason the group decided on hosting a 5K run was because of the shortage last Christmas. "Last year I spent $2500 from my own pocket because we didn't buy enough toys and I didn't want to leave one letter unheard," Icaza-Gast remembers. She hopes to increase the number of toys to 8000 this year; 2000 more than last year. "With the economy bad, I believe there will be even more letters sent in this year."
"I'm really proud of how the race went overall. People had a good time and some runners remarked on how much they enjoyed the course," said Icaza-Gast, "Some mentioned that they were going to bring their friends next year."
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