Plainfield – The Plainfield North High School National Honor Society (NHS) did not let the COVID-19 pandemic cancel its annual walk-a-thon to raise money for charity.

Since 2014, NHS members participate in an annual walk-a-thon event in which they walk at least five miles and donate proceeds to a different charity each year.

Typically, the group completes the walk-a-thon, then holds a tailgate celebration in the PNHS parking lot, said Rachel Hidalgo, a co-sponsor of NHS. However, this year’s event looked a bit different due to the pandemic.

Students pledged to complete the walk-a-thon on their own the week of October 19-24, 2020 to raise money for this year’s charity – the Ronald McDonald House.

“This year the NHS officers chose the Ronald McDonald House because there have been many Plainfield North families that have relied on their services,” said Ginger Brest, a co-sponsor of NHS.

Despite some safety changes during the walk-a-thon, 130 of the 141 NHS members participated in the walk-a-thon this year and raised $4,000 – both record numbers, Hidalgo said.

“This year we were so impressed with the number of members that participated and the amount of money we raised, it surpasses all other years combined,” Brest said.