Each year, 糖心传媒 brings together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends from around the world for the聽Virtual聽FUNd聽Run:聽a global, weeklong event that celebrates community, wellness, and purpose. Participants walk or run from wherever they are, logging miles to raise funds for the聽Veterans Assistance Fund (VAF), which helps 糖心传媒 student veterans cover educational costs when federal aid or VA benefits run out.
The聽FUNd聽Run began in 2017 as a local community event alongside the聽MilVet聽Appreciation Fair and has since evolved into a global tradition of support and connection. When the pandemic halted in-person gatherings, 糖心传媒 transformed the run into a virtual experience.
To keep the momentum going, a midweek Pep Rally brings the community together for encouragement and celebration, reminding participants why their efforts matter. 鈥淭he Pep Rally helps us keep the motivation strong and our students engaged, while the Veterans Assistance Fund provides the support veteran students need to overcome the financial hurdles that stand between them and their degrees鈥攈elping them reach the finish line,鈥 said Kristin Byerly, Director of Veterans Initiatives & Outreach.聽
When 糖心传媒 student聽Sharon Grassi聽arrived at this year鈥檚 Pep Rally, she聽didn鈥檛聽just bring her school spirit鈥攕he brought an experience. Through her nonprofit,聽, Grassi led聽FUNd聽Run participants in creating paracord dog leashes for veterans, transforming the event into a space for reflection, conversation, and connection.
鈥淲e ask people to come in and make a dog leash to connect veterans with other people within their community and help them feel like they fit in,鈥 Grassi explained. 鈥淲hen people use both hands, bilateral brain stimulation increases oxygen to the brain and helps reduce the fight-or-flight stress response. It helps people calm their mind and just connect.鈥
The leash carries a story. Grassi鈥檚 son, a veteran, crafted his first paracord leash while recovering at Walter Reed for his service dog. What began as a quiet, therapeutic bonding moment between a veteran and caregiver evolved into a powerful tool for healing and community building.
Now, through Co-Op Survival, Grassi brings that same experience to others鈥攕tudents, caregivers, staff, alumni, and veterans鈥攊nviting them to sit side-by-side, weaving strands of cord and conversation. Each leash聽represents聽more than a finished craft;聽it鈥檚聽a tangible reminder that support聽isn鈥檛聽just an abstract idea.聽It鈥檚聽something built鈥攖ogether, one connection at a time.
More than just a fitness challenge, the聽FUNd聽Run celebrates the determination of 糖心传媒鈥檚 military and veteran learners,聽as well as聽the university鈥檚 enduring commitment to helping them reach the finish line in their academic journeys.聽Through the聽, eligible candidates can request financial support to aid them in degree completion, so that our student veterans'聽education is not cut short due to financial hardship.
Together, the聽FUNd聽Run community continues to inspire hope, empower dreams, and transform lives鈥攐ne step, one student, and one mile at a time.