Hoffman students 'hustle' for major food collection drive

The Hoffman Estates High School Physical Education Department recently completed the second annual 5K Hoffman Hustle Race (formally the Turkey Trot), conducted in physical education classes during the last week of October.

More than 2,000 students participated either individually or in a relay format as teams of two, three or four to complete the race. Normally, 5K races require an entry fee, however, the entry fee for students in the Hoffman Hustle was a canned good donation, collected three weeks before the race.

The 2009 Hoffman Hustle raised more than 2,800 canned goods that were donated to the Willow Creek food pantry on behalf of Hoffman Estates High School students just before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Allison Helfrich, Hoffman Estates High School physical education teacher and event organizer said the Hoffman Hustle will continue to be an annual event.

"As educators, we see the objectives for this activity being threefold: first to provide enjoyment and a new experience for our students; second, to introduce real-life events in the community that students will be able to take part in during and after high school with a cardiovascular fitness benefit; and finally, we want our students to experience the pride in giving to those in the Hoffman Estates community in need of help."

"For the past two years, we have seen the growth of our young men and women at this event," Helfrich added.

"They challenge themselves and their conduct is positive and encouraging. Each student out there knows they are helping in some way which allows them to have fun."

Helfrich said students enjoy the Hustle and that it transforms the outlook students have about themselves and their school.

"We are extremely proud of our students' accomplishments," she added, and "more importantly, they are proud of themselves and look forward to next year.

"To see students having fun while accomplishing a major task makes it all worth it."