Zoology junior, Andy Beer, left, social relations policy and urban and regional planning junior, Megan O’Brien, center, and journalism junior, Ken Hansen, right, sing and dance to “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls Saturday night at Demonstration Hall during the SCOUTBANANA dance-a-thon.
As an eighth grader, Alex Hill’s pastor taught him about Ugandan culture and lifestyle, including how to play African drum rhythms and the country’s lack of drinking water and medical supplies.
Lessons from his pastor sparked an idea for Hill, an international relations junior, to start an organization to raise money for medical relief in Africa as part of an Eagle Scout project in high school.
More than six years later, music and culture is still playing a role in the success of his eventual organization, SCOUTBANANA, or Serving Citizens Of Uganda Today Because Africa Needs A New Ambulance.
SCOUTBANANA hosted its second annual 90s-themed dance-a-thon Saturday at Demonstration Hall to raise money for communities in eight African countries.
“We are working with (a nonprofit organization) charity: water this semester,” said Erika Greenia, SCOUTBANANA’s MSU chapter president. “If we raise enough money, we don’t have to use donated money to cover event costs.”
More than $500 was raised as at least 130 people came to dance to the music of two DJs, eat and play four square and other competitive games Saturday.
“It was just a good time overall,” said Ken Hansen, a journalism junior who attends SCOUTBANANA’s events. “They’re unique. I can’t think of another group that would put on a dance-a-thon.”
Hansen said the ’90s theme was the best part about the festivities.
“It was great when my friend won a Chia Pet,” he said.
When Hill created SCOUTBANANA, he never thought about the organization’s future 10 years from its start.
“Anytime I bring that up, I have to stop and really think about how much it’s grown since I was a Boy Scout,” he said. “I never would have believed that it would span across 15 universities in (the) U.S. and Canada.”
Greenia said the organization is constantly making its presence known across campus through annual face painting at football tailgates.
“The support we get is amazing,” she said.
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