Shortly after 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, almost 100 American Marketing Association members strolled into the Holmes Student Center to check in from their 5-mile route around campus.

The walkathon was a fundraiser for the Starlight Foundation, AMA’s regional charity, which is an international foundation that gives terminally, critically, or chronically ill children their last wishes, said Kevin Kramer, AMA public relations director.

“We’re still raising pledges,” Kramer said. “But, presently the count rests at about $3,000. Once all pledges are collected, the amount should be close to $5,000.”

The amount raised, in addition to money collected from the 96 regional AMA chapters, will be presented to Starlight Nov. 17 at the regional conference, which NIU is hosting.

Most of the money raised is from AMA members, Kramer said. He added AMA is grateful to all the businesses that participated in the walkathon.

“It is not often that students receive the chance to make such a positive impact on so many others,” Kramer said. As a result of AMA’s fundraiser, children will continue to have their wishes granted, such as seeing their favorite sports star, going on a family vacation, or receiving a puppy.