By Angela Alfano
Co-News-Editor
On Thursday, March 31, the Tilles Atrium turned into a beach party, complete with a DJ and beach ball volleyball. The Newman Catholic Community hosted its fifth annual cerebral palsy dance, cosponsored by BASIC, which stands for Brothers and Sisters in Christ. The event was started in 2011 by Father Ted, LIU Post’s former chaplain, who retired in the spring of 2015. Although the dance was sponsored by two Christian organizations, it was not a religious event.
took place at the Tilles Atrium on Thursday, March 31.
Photo courtesy of Emily Bounocore
This was the first year the club charged for tickets to the dance. Tickets were $3 in advance and $5 at the door. “We figured every college student could spare $3,” said Emily Buonocore, president of the Newman Catholic Community. All money raised was donated directly to UCP, United Cerebral Palsy, in Suffolk County.
Buonocore compared the dance to prom for UCP. “People come here and don’t know what to expect,” Buonocore said. “Some people think they can’t dance because they’re in wheel chairs but they do!” She said as she waved her arms. In fact, a crowd favorite was “cotton eyed joe.” Students from Post as well as care takers of those who struggle with various disabilities encouraged all in attendance to “bust a move.” The dance had students of Post in attendance as well as members of UCP and their caretakers. About a dozen volunteers from the Newman Catholic Community were present.
Buonocore said that there were about 40 participants from Post, students and volunteers included, at the dance. Because “TakeBack-the-Night” was happening on campus at the same time as the dance, the turn-out, according to Buonocore, was less than expected and volunteers were also limited because of the conflictingly timed events.
Be First to Comment