The lower floor of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center flooded with music Wednesday night with students dancing to songs like “Gangnam Style.”
“Rock Your Bod for Navidad” — a Christmas-themed Zumba event — helped raised awareness for a local nonprofit organization.
More than 20 people participated for nearly an hour in support of Timmy Global Health, an Indianapolis-based organization, which is nominated to receive a million dollar grant from a volunteer advocacy group. The organization provides health care for people who don’t have the money or chance to get it.
Emily Boss, Timmy Global Health advocacy chair and certified Zumba instructor led the event.
Boss also explained how she became involved with the Ball State chapter of Timmy Global Health.
“Actually, I met a girl in a bar, and I was promoting TOMS at the time, and this girl told me about Timmy Global Health and I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Boss said.
Emily Miller, president of Ball State’s chapter discussed the impact of her first trip for Timmy Global Health.
“The first time I went was the first time I was ever in a situation like that, there was a woman who had been coughing up worms for three months, and another woman who had been struck by lightning along with her son, who died,” Sulivan said. “I was pre-med and wanted to eventually join Doctors Without Borders, but my first Timmy trip made me realize that I don’t have to be a doctor to make a difference.”
The Ball State chapter sends a group every two months to Tena, Ecuador, offering students a chance to learn more about global health issues.
Junior dance major Carrie McKendree found out about the event through Facebook, and had attended a similar event last year.
She brought along a friend, who had never tried Zumba before.
“I just like a workout that doesn’t feel like a workout,” McKendree said.
McKendree said she enjoys working out, although she wasn’t aware of what Timmy Global Health or the event was about.
Rachael Boo, a freshman pre-veterinary major, said she had wanted to do Zumba at Ball State and had looked for free classes.
“I love to dance, and it’s the only form of exercise I can get through,” Boo said.
