Dancing for Darfur

Many people do not know of the horror going on in a place called Darfur. It is time that we raise awareness everywhere so we can come together and help stop the oppression and genocide that lies therein. Darfur is in the western part of Sudan, a country in middle east Africa. Since 2003 as many as 400,000 civilians from Darfur have been murdered. As many as 2.5 million have been forced to leave their homes and have had to move to refugee camps to avoid violence, rape, torture, and murder. About 1 million Darfurians still live in their villages and are in grave danger of becoming the next victims of the Janjaweed, the local tribal and other militias that are responsible for this genocide. All though we seem so far away from a place like Africa, there are still ways we can help.

On November 30, we will "Dance for Darfur." The Baldwin-Woodville chapter of FCCLA (Family Careers and Community Leaders of America) will be holding a "Dancethon" to raise money for Darfur. The eight hour event will be open to the public and is for all ages. It will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 30 at Baldwin-Woodville High school and will end at 2 a.m. the following morning. We will take you back to the days of swing! There will be refreshments, swing dance lessons, and an opportunity to dance the night away!

All who plan to attend are encouraged to pick up a pledge sheet prior to the event to help raise money to be sent to Darfur. Pledge sheets will be available at Treasures from the Heart, First Bank of Baldwin, and the Baldwin-Woodville High School. If you are unavailable to raise money prior to the event, there will be a $5 entrance fee to get into the dance. Any and all donations are also welcome at the door.

If you have any questions at the event please call Angela Schmoker at (715)684-3321 ext. 114. All are welcome to attend this worthy cause. Please help us end the genocide in Darfur!