SAN MARCOS–COVID-19 has halted many traditions this year, but the Palomar College 3rd Annual Monster Dash & Bash 5k was not one of them.

On Oct. 29, $15,000 was raised for the Palomar College Foundation due to the virtual turnout of this year’s 5k. The event drew around 200 participants, including various Palomar staff members like Interim President Jack Kahn. Participants ran three miles in fun costumes to support students in financial need.

Ensuring the 5k still went on was important to many staff members, as the money they raised contributed to helping students in these difficult COVID-19 times.

The Palomar College Foundation assists students with financial burdens such as providing computers, internet service and other emergency funding. Ensuring that these funds are available for students is something that Palomar faculty has made a priority.

Palomar College Foundation Executive Director Stacy Rungaitis was in attendance at this year’s virtual 5k. In an article by Palomar news, she talked about how COVID-19 has affected so many aspects of our everyday lives.

“That was true of the Foundation and this very event. While the 2020 Monster Dash & Bash looked very different, the need for support was more critical than ever,” she said.

The reach of this event was able to get students from near and far, from Iowa to Wisconsin back to California. Its virtual format may have seemed an obstacle at first, but it ultimately led to a wider reach and greater exposure for the foundation.

This year’s 5k is just one example of how Palomar staff continue to find new and innovative ways to keep students engaged and financially supported, all while maintaining efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.