How do I check /uncheck a checkbox on crystal report based on values set on the ASP page

I have a crystal report that gets populated based on values entered on an ASP form.
Crystal Report version 8.5
I need to display a checkbox on the report. So i ceated a formula field called checkVolunteer
I set the format of the field to Wingdings and set the formula as follows
if (length({?Volunteerpreferenceregion}) >= 1) then
Chr (254)
else Chr(111)

VolunteerPreference is the region the volunteer would like to volunteer, so if the user has entered some information in this field on the ASP form, I need to check the checkbox on the crystal report.

I also tried creating a regular parameter field with a border on all four sides, and then, setting the text value to 'X' or '', that does not work either.
I alos tried setting it in the ASP code to no avail

Could someone please post some sample code if they have done this before.
This is what I got from the Business Objects website
For example:

CHR(254) displays a check box with a check mark in the report and CHR(252) only displays the checkmark without the box in the report.

// CHR(254) - displays a box with a check mark

// CHR(253) - displays a box with an X

// CHR(111) - displays an empty box

// CHR(252) - displays a check mark only

// CHR(251) - displays an X only