Business Scholars Volunteer for the Chicago Marathon

This Sunday on October 11, 2015, my fellow business scholars took part in volunteering for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Every year the Chicago Marathon attracts growing numbers. The event, owned by Bank of America, is one of the six World Marathon Majors alongside the Boston, New York, London, Berlin, and Tokyo Marathons. Each semester, the Collegiate Association of Business Scholars (CABS) organizes volunteering events so that the Business Scholars can give back to their community. Last semester, Scholars volunteered to pack food packages for the organization Feed My Starving Children. Prior to that, the Scholars volunteered for the Sarcoidosis 5k run.

Over 40 Business Scholars were present at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. As a team, they were responsible for helping participants at the finish line by handing out Gatorade Protein Shakes for the runners who had just finished the 26.2 miles long run.

I had the chance to interview Samrudhi Vaghmare, a Business Scholar volunteer, who shared her incredible experience at the Marathon:

“As the photographer for the event, I captured our Business Scholars constantly handling various responsibilities for about 4 hours including unloading hundreds of boxes, unscrewing thousands of bottles, and ensuring hundreds of tired marathon runners were provided with the nutrition they needed. After the event, while looking back through the pictures, I realized CABS allowed me an opportunity not only to build stronger relationships with my fellow peers but also build stronger relationships with the community. During the race we aided several participants running for charities and learned these groups of individuals raise millions of dollars to bring awareness to local and global causes. The numbers on the amount of money raised for the charities are still being decided for 2015, but is expected to increase from last year’s $15 million. Volunteering at the Chicago Marathon allowed me not only to exercise our Business Scholars creed but also make an impact across various local and global communities by lending a hand to individuals who run to make a positive difference.” (Samrudhi Vaghmare, Business Scholar Class of 2019)

In the end, the Business Scholars were able to serve our community, build strong relationships with peers, and take action about something that they care about. Community service is one of the many ways Business Scholars come together as a group to gain experience outside of the classroom. Let’s see what organization the Scholars decide to contribute to next semester!

Below are more pictures from the Bank of America Chicago Marathon: