Clinical laboratory science senior Ashley Varner dances with second year law student Andrew Gardner on Nov 20, 2013, at the Plant and Soil Sciences building. The event was held to teach newcomers how to dance, as well as to raise money for those impacted by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Brian Palmer/The State News
Nestled in a far corner of the Plant and Soil Sciences Building, the MSU Salsa Club slowly transformed room A149 from a classroom to a ballroom, complete with decorations to fit the winter wonderland theme of their dance class. The makeshift classroom was momentarily adorned with snowflakes, tinsel and candy canes.
Although the decor was whimsical, the cause was serious: raising money for the benefit of the people in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
Biomedical laboratory diagnostics senior Patricia Malang is the president of the MSU Salsa Club and decided to modify the weekly Salsa Club meeting to accept donations for the Philippines. Malang, a Filipino, has a number of family members in the Phillipines that have been affected by the typhoon.
“I thought, ‘why not take advantage of what I can do (with the salsa club),’” Malang said. “It’s tough having grandparents, aunts and uncles in the Philippines, especially seeing all the pictures and videos coming in from there. Seeing all the devastation is heartbreaking.”
The donations that were collected at the Salsa Club’s meeting are expected to be given to the United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF. According to the UNICEF website, an estimated 5 million children were affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
At the University Council meeting on Tuesday, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon noted the importance of MSU’s role in the relief effort in her opening remarks.
“We as an institution have historically asked people to contribute to existing organizations,” Simon said.
She also mentioned the importance of international programs on campus, namely the Office for International Students and Scholars, in reaching out to students who might have family affected by the typhoon.
In the meantime, smaller MSU groups are pitching in and doing what they can.
“We recently had a Euchre tournament with funds benefiting the Philippines,” clinical laboratory science senior Ashley Varner said. “We just wanted the salsa club (to) come tonight to have fun and to learn a few new moves.”
“It’s the small things that add up,” Malang added. “I hope we can make people more aware and act upon what they can do to help others in need. I hope people realize the importance of giving even the smallest kind of help.”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
