Star Wars day at Long Beach City College was not spent by watching the movies, but by students and faculty lining up for a 5K run and walk, to support a fundraiser for the Viking Closet.
The John Fylpaa Leadership Institute presented the fundraiser that was held at Veterans Stadium, to help students at LBCC who are experiencing resource insecurity.
When the leadership institute was established, it was to promote civic engagement and foster the development of leaders who want to create change in their community.
John Fylpaa attended LBCC in 1965-1967, but then returned to become a dean and the ASB cabinet advisor.
According to Fylpaa, he saw and knew a lot of students who were experiencing some type of insecurity in school.
“It’s all about establishing a sense of community here, and unfortunately when I worked here, I saw a lot of students who had insecurities, and they needed help,” Fylpaa said.
“The students who put this on were willing to step up and help out, it’s a concept for development and the results should be beneficial for everyone.”
Before the 5K started, Fylpaa gave a check of $500 to the Closet, to help them get up and started.
People who participated in the event had to pay $5-$10, but all proceeds went to the Viking Closet.
According to ASB president Jan Paolo Canteras, the 5K run is helping out other bigger projects that are going to be put on by other clubs.
“Hopefully todays turn out showed other clubs at LBCC that well-organized events like this can be successful,” Canteras said.
PNK president Andrea Rodriguez participated in the 5K, and also was the participant who finished first in the 5K.
“I think this is pretty cool, and that a piece of PNK was here,” Rodriguez said.
“Fundraisers like these is something we’re doing to help those in need.”
To see future events or fundraisers for the Viking Closet, people can sign up at the LBCC NordicSync at https://orgsync.com/login/long-beach-city-college.