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It’s not every day that industry executives, sports and music celebrities, and others make their way into Wellsville in classic cars, a replica of the DeLorean time machine from “Back to the Future,” and more, all in a collective effort to give back to children in need.

Such was the case on Wednesday, May 25, however, as more than 40 teams cruised onto the ��Ӱֱ�� State School of Applied Technology campus, which served as one of the stops along the thrilling, seven-day Everyone Loves Kids (ELK) Charity Challenge.

Beginning this year in Detroit on May 21 and ending in Lake Placid on May 27, the ELK Charity Challenge, according to its website, is an interactive adventure that pits “philanthropic vehicle enthusiasts against one another in a seven-day journey to give back to America’s children. Each day, participants navigate through numerous challenges and locations, testing their dedication, determination and preparation.” The team with the most points is given $10,000 at the end of each day for its respective children’s charity, including Shriners Hospitals for Children, Texas EquuSearch, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

While in Wellsville, the challengers took part in multiple events in three locations on campus, testing their electrical, automotive, and culinary arts skills. At the end of the day, the racers assembled bicycles to be donated to a local charity.

Competing from ��Ӱֱ�� State in a 2012 Chevy Volt were School of Applied Technology Dean Ana McClanahan, Automotive Trades Assistant Professor James Fleischman, and Hannah Van Norman, a heavy equipment, truck and diesel technician major from Geneva.

Speaking about what she has liked most about the Charity Challenge, Van Norman said, “I really enjoy meeting all these new people, and I like the surprise of what challenges we have that day. We’re handed an envelope and have to search on Google and use our GPS to find out where we’re going. I like the suspense of not knowing what we’re going to be doing that day. It’s been a lot of fun.”

McClanahan has been impressed by the level of camaraderie that developed on the race, as well as the level of devotion to charities.

“The combination of benevolence and competition is really good, clean fun,” she said. “It’s fun to be around people who like that.”

Taking part in the race and having the Wellsville campus serve as one of the stops along the way also provided an excellent opportunity for making connections and showcasing ��Ӱֱ�� State’s commitment to hands-on learning and producing job-ready graduates.

“I have made several contacts during this event who have agreed to come and share their expertise and experience with ��Ӱֱ�� State as a whole,” McClanahan noted, “so I believe all three schools within our college will benefit.”

Craig Corbell, who headed the group that launched the ELK Charity Challenge, spoke about how impressed he has been with the way ��Ӱֱ�� State is preparing students for the real world.

“��Ӱֱ�� State does a wonderful job of giving students real-life experience working on houses, vehicles, equipment, and more,” he said. “It’s first class and I would recommend this college to anybody who is looking to enter a trade type of program.”

A video report showing the ELK Charity Challenge events in Wellsville is available online at: