The third annual event was held virtually this year, raising more than $15,000 for the Palomar College Foundation in a year that has brought many additional student requests for support.<\/p>\n
Pictured above: An entry in this year\u2019s virtual Monster Dash & Bash costume contest depicted the \u201cEvolution of Zoom\u201d over the course of the COVID-19 crisis.<\/em><\/p>\n SAN MARCOS \u2014 Even the COVID-19 pandemic couldn\u2019t slow down Palomar College\u2019s annual Monster Dash & Bash 5K Run\/Walk, which culminated in a virtual costume contest on Thursday, Oct. 29, after raising $15,000 for the Palomar College Foundation.<\/p>\n During the event, some 192 participants logged their five kilometers, including one who participated virtually with her 80-year-old mother from Iowa, and one who walked carrying a \u201cPalomar College Foundation\u201d sign.<\/p>\n Others braved snowfall in Wisconsin, and still others chose to log their activity on roller skates\u2014all in the name of supporting Palomar\u2019s students.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Palomar College Foundation has come through in a huge way for our students during this time of crisis,\u201d said Interim Superintendent\/President Dr. Jack Kahn. \u201cThe Monster Dash is always a fun and engaging way to give back, and we\u2019re grateful to those who participated.\u201d<\/p>\n Palomar College Foundation Executive Director Stacy Rungaitis said the event was especially meaningful this year to the students whose lives are being changed because of the money raised.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year has brought so many changes to all of our lives and caused us to pivot almost every inch of what we do,\u201d said Rungaitis. \u201cThat 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Rungaitis said the Foundation has seen a \u201chuge influx of requests for assistance\u201d due to COVID-19.<\/p>\n \u201cThe same pandemic that made this year\u2019s Monster Dash a virtual one has also made it increasingly difficult for many students to remain in school and have the resources they need to succeed,\u201d she said. \u201cStudents who had part-time jobs have in many cases been furloughed. Some students lack computers or other necessities to take their courses online.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks to this year\u2019s Monster Dash & Bash, we will be able to say \u2018yes\u2019 to students who are our future first responders, nurses, engineers, and community leaders,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re very grateful for the interest, commitment and investment in their future that was shown by our Palomar College community.\u201d<\/p>\n Key sponsors this year included EDCO, Cal Coast Credit Union, Pala Casino, California Bank & Trust, Stone Brewing, Wild Barrel Brewing and Wavelength Brewing.<\/p>\n The Palomar College Foundation exists to remove financial barriers for Palomar\u2019s students. All proceeds from this event will go directly to serve students through the Foundation\u2019s emergency grant program providing computers, internet service and other emergency funding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"