The AU Gymnastics Team hosted its Kid's Night Out fundraiser Saturday to help raise money for its trip to nationals next month. Participating children watched movies, played basketball and soccer and ate pizza and soda, according to Julie Wojtulewicz, a sophomore in the School of International Service and Gymnastics Team treasurer.
Max Salomon, the first kid to show up to the event, said he was excited to participate.
"I like this event because you get to do all sorts of stuff," Salomon said.
The primary goal of the fundraiser was to raise enough money for the team to be in a more comfortable financial position on its trip to Cincinnati, Ohio, for nationals next month, according to Sarah Bishop, a senior in the Kogod School of Business and fundraising chair for the team. With additional funds, the team will secure better housing conditions for the three nights it stays in Cincinnati, among many things, Bishop said.
Since the end of the semester is approaching, a lot of money raised from the fundraiser will go toward next semester's fundraising, according to Brittany Hopwood, a freshman in Kogod and publicity chair for the team.
After parents checked their kids in at a table set up in Bender Arena's lobby, they were brought to the gymnasium. After entering the gym there was an arts and crafts table as well as pizza and soda for sale. On the gym floor were soccer balls and basketballs to play with, according to Wojtulewicz.
Courtney Higgins, a freshman in SPA who is in training to be treasurer, said she was happy to participate in the event.
"The kids are always very cute and very enthusiastic," Higgins said. "It's a great way for us to be with our teammates and at the same time it's also really fun to play with the kids."
Other fundraising events sponsored by the Gymnastics Team this year included a Tuck-A-Buck event, in which the team did flips on the quad during Parents' Weekend, and a gift-wrapping event, which the team does every holiday season, according to Bishop.
Upcoming fundraising events include a baby-sitting fundraiser as a takeoff of the Kid's Night Out and another fundraiser that involves accepting donations for free swipes into TDR, according to Bishop.