In the spirit of the season, Chi Sigma Iota will be hosting the Shake Your Bones Halloween Zumbathon at Eastern’s Recreational Center Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Eastern’s academic and professional honor society, Chi Sigma Iota invites individuals over the age of 15 to register for their Halloween-themed Zumba fundraiser.

Samantha Bilharz, the CSI Social Chair, said there will be five certified Zumba instructors at the event to cater to all learning styles, therefore no prior zumba skills are needed.

Tickets are $15, which includes the three-hour class and an event t-shirt.

Bilharz said she encourages participants to wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable to dance and move around in. Participants can also wear non-restricting Halloween costumes or attire.

This fundraiser’s proceeds from the class will benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center in Charleston, an organization that supports children who have been victims of abuse.

Kaylee Ernst, CSI president, said CAC has received cuts in grants over the past few years.

“So, as a graduate program that promotes positive mental health, we see that the CAC is very deserving of our fundraising efforts,” Ernst said.

Ernst said that without CAC’s services, many local children and families would not be getting the attention they deserve and need.

The CAC provides assistance to children from the following counties: Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie and Shelby.

Angela Yoder, adviser of CSI, said that by helping the CAC by raising funds, we can help the community at large with children that are in need of advocacy and help.

At the event there will be an opportunity to give donated items to the CAC. Items specifically needed are gas cards, individually wrapped candy, AA and AAA batteries, stamps, and white copy paper.

Rebecca Tadlock-Marlo, adviser for CSI, said, “As a professional honor society, we work to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership, advocacy and excellence in counseling through service.”

Bilharz said that CSI puts on fundraisers every semester for various causes, but this is the first Zumbathon CSI has organized.

If anyone is unable to attend the Shake Your Bones Halloween Zumbathon they can still contribute to the cause of CAC. There will be a drop box in the Counseling and Student Development office in Buzzard Hall on Eastern’s campus for anyone interested in donating similar items after the event.

For more information on the event, or to purchase tickets students can contact csizumbathon@gmail.com.

Lauren Barry can be reached at 581-2812 or at lbarry@eiu.edu