Russ Shafer
MCC Employee Organizes Fundraiser for Student Scholarships
As an electrician for McHenry County College, you can find Russ Shafer all around campus making repairs, updating hardware, and greeting everyone with a smile.
Shafer, who has worked at MCC for 10 years, also earned his associate degree while working at the College. It was these experiences—as both an MCC student and employee—that recently inspired him to raise money for student scholarships.
Shafer rallied his motorcycle club, Iron Seven, to organize the “Ride for Student Success,” a fundraising event done in partnership with the Friends of MCC Foundation.
Iron Seven is a non-profit group that has been riding together for about six years, Shafer said.
“We’ve done fundraisers with other organizations in the community, and I thought this would be a great way to give back to the community that helped me earn my degree.”
Shafer worked with Brian DiBona, executive director of the Foundation, to coordinate efforts with MCC.
“This was a fantastic event that Russ organized all on his own,” DiBona said. “The people from the club were so generous, kind, and completely supportive of MCC.”
About 90 people took off for the ride from MCC on July 30, 2022. Trucks and cars were also welcome.
Stops included Kip & Deb’s in Sharon, WI; Boxcars in Clinton, WI; and Hoops in Hebron, IL. Food and drink specials were offered at every stop, and a live band performed at Hoops after the ride ceremony.
“Organizations in the community generously gave back in the form of donated gift cards or gift baskets at each stop,” said Shafer. “We also did several raffles throughout the event.”
In total, the event raised $2,100 and funded four scholarships—three for the College’s new Motorcycle Technician Training Program and one for the arts.
“Russ was amazing to work with on this project,” said Jake Homuth, coordinator of career training programs at MCC. “We’ve already had two students utilize the scholarship money directly raised from the Ride for Student Success.”
DiBona echoed the sentiments, noting the ride was one of his all-time favorite fundraising events.
“To have an employee step up on their own to organize and run such a fun day to support student success—that’s incredible and inspiring.”
Shafer plans to hold the event again next year.
“We received excellent feedback and were able to help a few students pursue their dreams. It was a fun day and wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of this community.”
For more on scholarships at MCC, visit www.mchenry.edu/scholarships. To learn more about the College’s Motorcycle Technician training program, visit www.mchenry.edu/motorcycletech.