Proceeds from UCF-designed and Rock ’Em-manufactured face coverings have raised $50,000 for the UCF Student Emergency Fund as of this month.
The masks were released in August as part of an ‘Armor Up, Knights’ fundraiser.
UCF Marketing teamed up with Rock ’Em — an Orlando-based company started in 2011 by former UCF student Rob Starkman — to design, officially license, manufacture and sell face coverings.
The face coverings are made of three layers of cotton polyester, and there are 9 styles to choose from. For each face covering sold, $5 is donated to the UCF Student Emergency Fund. If you buy one of the special three-pack collections, $15 goes to the fund.
The fund helps students facing hardship or obstacles that make it difficult to continue their education at UCF. Selected students are based on merit and financial need to help with the costs of tuition, rent, textbooks, fees and other expenses related to education.
One student, who will remain anonymous, received nearly $2,000 to help with rent and utilities.
“This semester has been significantly harder and the most stressful that I’ve ever been put through in my life,” the sophomore wrote. “I know that this money will help me to focus more on my classes so that I won’t be as stressed about my rent as I have been.”
Another, who also received nearly $2,000 to help with rent and utilities wrote, “I’m going through a rough patch and in between jobs. I graduate this semester and I hope that I’ll be able fully get past this semester, so I can start a financially stable life. I’ve struggled and fought poverty my entire life, and this funding will help me get around this obstacle.”
UCF students who are experiencing a distressing situation which significantly impacts academic or personal success should contact Student Care Services at caremanager@ucf.edu.
