SAN DIEGO—Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Design39Campus held its Run for a Change, Walk for a Cause event in support of students and families recovering from multiple hurricanes that impacted the Hawaiian islands in September.
Hurricanes Lala, Lowell, and Nolo brought heavy rains and flooding to the islands last month, prompting recovery efforts across the islands and their communities.
“My favorite part of today was seeing how excited the kids and families were and seeing the connected learning that they did, and how inspired they were by helping another community,” says Abbey Bryant, Learning Experience Designer at D39.
Created by D39 3rd and 5th grade designers, the event featured lap walking/running, learning opportunities, and booth activities for students and families to engage in while donating supplies and funds. Activity books were also created by students for students at Na’alehu Elementary School in Hawaii. Na’alehu students returned to school just last week and the campus is still running on generators.
Students raised about $3,000 as a campus to support relief efforts and cover mailing costs.
“This event was important because Hawaii needs a lot of help, and without help, they might not have basic necessities to learn and feel safe again,” says one D39 5th grader.
In creating their activities, students researched natural disasters through books, podcasts, simulations, and virtual tours. They also learned from a local child psychiatrist and PUSD parent about how to support children through traumatic events like those in Hawaii. Students then designed their activities to cover topics like essential and everyday needs, infrastructure and rebuilding, education and returning to learning, emotional support and connection, and preparedness and community awareness.
“You know when the kids designed absolutely everything when the LEDS step away, and you can just watch the learners rock it as they describe their experience and encourage others to take part,” Angela Corcoran, a D39 Learning Experience Designer, says.