Register for 'Steps for Chaps' to aid students in need due to COVID-19

The College of DuPage Office of Institutional Advancement will host a steps challenge fundraising event Friday to Sunday, May 15-17, for students who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

All proceeds benefit the College of DuPage Foundation's COVID-19 Student Relief Fund.

"The college and Institutional Advancement Office are committed to finding support for COD students who are impacted by this global pandemic. In addition to our collaboration with the foundation, we are working with COD faculty, staff and alumni who are supporting this effort through their donations," said Walter Johnson, interim vice president for Institutional Advancement. "We welcome others to join us in supporting our COD students a."

Participants will raise funds by counting steps and asking family and friends to sponsor steps or make a one-time donation.

Choosing their own location, from a treadmill to a walk outside or even working around the house, participants will count their steps with a phone, smartwatch or other device, and then post a photo of their total steps on Facebook with the hashtag #ChapsUnite.

Participants also may email a photo to chapsunite@cod.edu.

Steppers are automatically entered into a raffle but can earn additional prizes in three categories: most steps taken, most funds raised and most school spirit. See the Steps for Chaps page at cod.edu/stepsforchaps for full details.

To date, the foundation has raised more than $100,000 for the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund and has received approximately 366 applications, with more than $63,000 awarded to 211 students in need.

Funds raised include two generous dollar-for-dollar donation matches provided by the Shebik family of Wheaton, as well as a $20,000 grant from the DuPage Foundation.

"We are thrilled to provide this opportunity for the community to come together for a fun and healthy activity to help our students during an exceptionally challenging time," said COD Foundation Executive Director Karen Kuhn. "Our students depend on us to provide guidance and support to help them achieve success and, for many, the need right now is critical."

Designed to be adaptable to students' needs, the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund provides aid for a variety of student expenses, including educational costs, food, toiletries, medications and unmet costs due to loss of employment.

The foundation reports that more than 60 percent of applicants are seeking funds to help pay for essentials of life such as food, medicine and utilities.

To learn more, register or donate, please visit cod.edu/stepsforchaps.