Music blared as about 100 students dressed in animal print clothing danced in a dimly lit room in the Fine Arts Building and Museum of Art. Brightly colored balloons in green, purple and pink with animal print designs decorated the room, and food items such as animal crackers and zebra cakes were available in dog bowls.
Members of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a philanthropic sorority, hosted their first 'Fur Ball' dance Monday night. The Fur Ball benefited the Animal Rescue Foundation, and the students who attended donated nearly $300, meeting the organization's goal. Supplies that are needed at the shelter, such as paper towels and cleaning items, were also donated.
President of ESA Wendy Carter said she was pleased with the turnout of the event.
'Getting the word out definitely helped,' Carter said. 'A lot of people came, we got a ton of donations and I think we've raised over $300. I was pleased at the outcome. At least 100 people attended.'
As students danced and mingled, they also were given the chance to win raffle prizes and contests such as best dressed and cutest pet. Prizes from the raffle included items from local businesses including La Bamba, the Artist Within and Subway.
According to Carter, at least half of the students in attendance participated in the animal theme by wearing clothing with animal print. She said some students dressed more thematic than others, going all-out with their animal print attire.
Senior architecture major Kelly Goffiney attended the event dressed in a zebra print Snuggie, which resulted in her winning the best-dressed contest.
'I wore my Snuggie and finished it off with a [dog tiara] on top of my head,' Goffiney said. 'It was nice that everyone got decked out to support all the animals and the foundation and everything.'
Students said they attended the event because it was for a good cause and because they wanted to support the philanthropic sorority.
'I thought it was great. I think it's really important that we raise money for these types of foundations,' senior music major Jessica McClellan said.
McClellan said her favorite part of the night was dancing, and if the Fur Ball dance were to occur again next year, she would definitely attend.
Junior speech pathology major and ESA member Hailey Althoff said she was happy with the event.
'I think it's really fun, it seems like we had a really good turn out,' Althoff said. 'Everybody that I talked to said they were having a lot of fun, so I think it was a success.'
Carter said she hopes students learned more about ARF through the event and that they could possibly put on a fundraiser on campus for any charity of their choice.
Future plans for ESA include volunteering at ARF, participating in Walk a Mile for the Muncie Mission, the Dance Marathon to support Riley Hospital for Children, Race for the Cure and a visit to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
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