Before heading home for the holidays, ISU students have a chance to jingle all the way to the finish line at the 7th annual Andy Albright Memorial Jingle Jog. Jingle Jog is a part of this year’s Winterfest.

The Jingle Jog is an event put on by the Freshman Council. The proceeds fund an annual scholarship of $1,000 to a current freshman heading into his or her sophomore year.

Kellie Richardson, sophomore in event management and special events co-chairwoman for the Freshman Council, explained the origin of the Jingle Jog.

“The Jog is held in honor of Andy Albright, who was in Freshman Council and passed away in a car accident,” Richardson said. “The Freshman Council began doing this 5k to raise money for a scholarship in memory of him. It’s a memorial for Andy and everything he did for Freshman Council.”

Last year’s turnout was roughly 730 runners. The hope for this year is to register 800 to 900 participants. It is a goal that, if met, would generate enough money to reach an important milestone for the scholarship, Richardson said.

“This year we are close to endowing the scholarship,” Richardson said. “If we do so, we can guarantee it will continue to help freshmen for years to come.”

Matthew Degroot, sophomore in environmental science and biology and special events co-chairman for the Freshman Council, commented on the future of the event.

“The plan for the future if the scholarship does get endowed is to try and increase the levels of endowment and try to get the scholarship to a higher amount,” Degroot said.

The $20 registration fee for each participant covers a spot in the run and a free glow-in-the-dark T-shirt, but the Jingle Jog is more than just a 5k and a cool shirt, Richardson said.

“It’s kind of a fun run as it’s a costume contest as well. People are welcome to dress up in their holiday outfits,” Richardson said. “We had someone last year painted completely in green, dressed up like the Grinch, and the girl who was with him was dressed up like Cindy Lou Who.”

The activities that take place before the 5k are as much a part of the event as the run itself.

“There are going to be fun activities with pictures, different backdrops, face painting and all kinds of good stuff before hand,” Richardson said. “Everybody gets to enjoy a kind of last hoorah before finals week. It’s a nice way to get together with your friends, dress up and have a good time before leaving for the holidays.”

The Jingle Jog is scheduled for Dec. 6.

“Registration will start at 4:00 p.m., and the race will begin at 6:00 p.m. There is a tree lighting ceremony that kicks off the event,” Richardson said. “There will be carolers and speakers. Then when the tree is lit up, that will signify the start of the race, which is a new aspect this year.”

Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. is when both registration and all the activities will take place on the third floor of the Memorial Union in the Pioneer Room as well as the Gallery Room, Degroot said.

“Trying to get the scholarship endowed is our main goal this year,” Richardson said. “We are Freshman Council, but we’re trying to get more than just the freshmen on campus. We want everyone to be involved.”