BYU clubs participate in Care Week this week on campus. Care week is a week-long event where different BYU club organizations raise money for charities of their choice. Different booths and activities will take place from Nov. 12-17 to benefit organizations like Make a Wish and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
Maddi Luczak, the executive director of club events, said she enjoys the club participation in Care Week and how the event has raised around $9,000 per semester for charities over the last three years.
'I love the great message behind Care Week,' Luczak said. 'BYU clubs can raise money for a chosen organization that means something to them. 'It allows so many people to get involved in fun ways for a good cause.'
The BYU Hip-Hop club and eight other dance groups will hold a Global Dance Fusion event and give proceeds to Promethean Spark International, an organization that offers life skills through the performing arts to impoverished youth worldwide.
BYU Hip-hop club members practice weekly in the Wilkinson Center and no previous dance experience is required to join. (Bayleigh Cragun)
BYU Hip-Hop club president Bayleigh Cragun said she traveled to Morocco last summer to help Promethean Spark and admired the efforts of the organization.
'Promethean Spark actually teaches kids dance,' Cragun said. 'While they're teaching dance, they're teaching hard work, focus, discipline, all these things that a lot of kids in poverty just can't learn because they're just never taught it.'
Cragun said the Global Dance Fusion event will show students different dance styles and allow them to practice new moves with friends. Global Dance Fusion takes place tonight, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Wilkinson ballroom and admission will be five dollars.
'You get to watch, learn and practice different ways to dance,' Cragun said. 'It's a super good date night, a good night with friends.'
The BYU a capella club will also perform on Friday, Nov. 16, in 151 of the Tanner Building at 7 p.m. All proceeds will go to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. The cost of admission will be a can of food or two dollars, according to a capella club president Bryan Samuelsen.
The BYU a cappella club is made up of various groups who sing in different styles. BYU was recently ranked as the No. 8 school in the country, according to College Magazine. (Bryan Samuelson)
Samuelsen said the different a capella styles within the club have practiced covers like 'You are the Reason' by Calum Scott, 'Believer' by Imagine Dragons and 'Tell Me You Love Me' by Demi Lovato.
The songs covered for the Care Week concert have not been finalized but will be an entertaining sneak peak of the Acapella Jam concert on Dec. 7, according to Samuelsen.
Samuelsen said he appreciates how Care Week offers a way to have a fun time with friends on campus while serving others who are in need.
'Care Week is a very easy way to make a difference, to have an impact in a very simple way,' Samuelsen said. 'You don't need to go on a humanitarian trip to Africa. You don't need to volunteer for a summer in Panama. You just need to go and show up, and it does make a difference.'
Instead of hosting an event, Women's Studies Honor Society will be selling items and cards from Zambia, Africa in the Global Women's Studies office tomorrow through Thursday in 216 of the Kennedy Center. Item cost will vary but will be around ten dollars, according to Women's Studies Honor Society member Hayley Worsham.
Worsham said proceeds from the items sold will go to Mothers Without Borders, a non-profit organization helps women and children in Zambia.
Worsham's internship in Zambia helped her understand the importance of contributing more to the organization.
'I fell in love with the country and its people,' Worsham said. 'I saw hardships while I was there such as high rates of HIV, not having access to clean water, gender inequality, hunger, and many young, vulnerable and orphaned children.'
(from left) Founder of Mothers Without Borders Kathy Headlee and Mothers Without Borders Zambia country director Josephine Daka visited BYU on November 6 to speak to the Women's Studies Honor Society and community members about the topic, 'Women as Agents of Social Change.' (Hayley Worsham)
Worsham said taking part in Care Week can help individuals find their passion or calling in life.
'Someone might find an organization that touches their heart, and they can get more involved,' Worsham said. 'Care Week gives students a chance to think about future volunteer opportunities or internships they might want to look into. It can be very rewarding to find a cause or non-profit that gives you meaning.'
Other BYU clubs will be holding activities like a movie night, magic show and stand-up comedy to raise profit for other charitable organizations.
Luczak said participation in Care Week offers a great way for the students to have a good time and take part in something greater than themselves.
'I think it's extremely important for students to take part in because they can do something that they are passionate in and raise money for a cause they are passionate about,' Luczak said. 'It's a great, fun and an easy way to give back.'