It’s an opportunity to dance, workout and win prizes while also helping support a local charity.
The Zumbathon gives students and the Moscow community a chance to dance to a high-energy workout, Zumba, to help raise money for the Light a Candle Program.
The University of Idaho Wellness Program will host the Zumbathon from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday in the International Ballroom of the Bruce Pitman Center. Doors will open to anyone at 6 p.m., whether it be a student or a community member. A $5 donation is requested from students and $10 from the public.
“This is just a fun way to bring the community together, it’s a lot of fun … it’s like a party,” Graduate Assistant and Special Programs Intern Rachel Schiell said.
Along with Zumba, Schiell said the event will include a raffle with different prizes.
The event has a variety of prizes from gift cards and laser hair removal treatments to car details and Rock Star Tan Bar coupons, Schiell said.
With the entry donation, Schiell said participants get one ticket for the raffle, however there is an opportunity to purchase more. Any additional tickets are three for $5.
Schiell said she encourages everyone to participate in the Zumbathon, even if they don’t like dancing, as there are many other things going on during the event.
“It’s just dancing basically, so we’ll have all of the instructors going and you’ll follow along,” Schiell said. “If you don’t like to dance, you can still come and just hang out and watch.”
Schiell said there will be different organizations coming together for the event.
“KIND is going to be there, so there will be KIND bars that people can snack on, and Big Dan’s Nutrition will be there as well giving out free shaker bottles and samples to everybody that comes,” Schiell said.
All of the money raised from this event will be donated to the Light a Candle Program through Gritman Medical Center, Schiell said.
The Light a Candle Program is a local organization that raises money for individuals in Whitman and Latah County who are battling cancer, said Debi Dockins, co-founder of the program.
“We just want to help everybody that has cancer in some way,” Dockins said. “To let them know that they’re not alone and that they have someone out there that’s praying for them and able to offer assistance.”
Dockins said the majority of resources the Light a Candle Program offers to its recipients are gas cards and grocery vouchers. Light a Candle also has a massage program, where individuals can visit Gritman Therapy Solutions to receive a massage.
However, assistance provided through the Light a Candle Program to individuals battling cancer is not limited to simply these resources. Dockins said they’ve helped a woman get an iPad so she was able to Skype with her grandchildren.
“We’ve worked with the American Cancer Society to provide transportation and overnights, we’ve bought plane tickets for people to go home to see their families,” Dockins said. “So just really whatever that they need.”
Dockins said the Light a Candle Program has been a part of the community for six years and continues to help cancer patients by working with events like the Zumbathon.
“It’s a good workout, without feeling like you’re working out, it’s a lot of fun, and then all of the money is going to an awesome cause,” Schiell said. “So really it’s like a win-win situation.”
Savannah Cardon can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @savannahlcardon