Brittany Balside, freshman fashion merchandising major; Brittany O’Brien, senior sociology major; and Bernie Richards, junior dance performance major, enjoy the music at the Mardi Gras dance on Saturday in the Ballroom. Circle K hosted the event to raise

Credit: Carl Schierhorn

Beads, masks, music and dancing filled the Student Center Ballroom Saturday raising about $500 for Kent State United for Biloxi.

Circle K Club of Kent State hosted the Mardi Gras Benefit Ball to help raise funds for the Spring Break alternative trip. After costs, all the money raised will directly benefit the trip.

“We were already planning to do something to raise money for the Gulf Coast,” said Nick Buchser, senior hospitality major and president of Circle K. “Once we found out they needed fundraising for the trip, we decided to donate the money to Biloxi. It’s not only a fundraiser. It’s also an awareness event.”

The dance raised around $500 for the cause, Buchser said, and around 84 people attended.

“The event went very well,” he said. “I was happy with the turnout.”

Brittany Balside, freshman fashion merchandising major, heard about the event at a Dive meeting and decided to attend with a group of friends because the dance was for a good cause. She is not going on the Biloxi trip.

“That’s why I definitely wanted to come: So I can support people who were going to Biloxi,” she said. “I thought it would be a good time because we’re all crazy, and we’ll make it fun.”

Local businesses also contributed to the dance by donating door prizes and items for the silent auction. Music was provided by Smooth Stick Entertainment for a minimal cost, and H Star, a rap group, and The Boffers, a rock group, both performed at the dance for free.

Money from the silent auction and photographs taken by members of Habitat for Humanity also directly benefited the Biloxi trip.

“Habitat helped out so much with the decorations and photos,” Buchser said. “I also want to thank all of the students who attended.”

Cosponsors of the dance included Habitat for Humanity, Club Mangers Association of America, PRIDE!Kent and Commuter and Off-Campus Student Organization

Contact social services reporter Meghan Gauriloff at [email protected].