To raise funds for the pediatric department at St. Mary’s hospital in Long Beach, the Circle K club hosted a charity ball on Friday night, Lisa Mena, 20, Art History Major, said.

Nestled between the Gardena Police Department and the Fire Station, the Charity ball was held at the Ken Nakaoka Community Center in Gardena. Inside the center, purple tablecloths and construction paper outlines of the New York skyline transform the room.

“”The Theme for this event was a Night in New York,” Monique Rodriguez, 22, Sociology major, Said. Rodriguez was the chairperson in charge of the committee planning the ball.

Working closely with the cabinet members of the club, the charity ball was a way for new members to gain leadership skills, Rodriguez said. For example, their new Treasurer Shia Ahmed, 18, biology major, suggested this charity, which they decided to donate to.

“The Circle K foundation focuses on the importance of the future and children in particular because they are the future,” Mena said. “This Neo-Natal department needs more of everything from proper treatment education and information about newborn care.”

Choosing a local charity helped motivate people to donate to this good cause, Daniel Valdivia, 20, Biology major, said. The community center itself was a venue borrowed for free from the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Organization.

“We always say that we’re less like a club and more like a family,” Mena said. “We’ve been playing with the idea for this event since last semester and finally the last two months have been working hard to get it into action.”

Members felt good looking at their hard work finally being celebrated. More events like a ball where people have fun and helps charities should be had, Manushi Weerasinghe, 19, Psychology major, said.

“This event made me realize how important it is to give back to your community,” Weerasinghe said. “It has been a great experience and I’ve met so many people through this.”

Members and friends enjoyed a night of great food over even better company, music, a dance performance, and even an auction. In the auction, members of the cabinet offered an array of services they would provide, in exchange for donations for the charity.

“I like to eat so that was one of my main services,” Ahmed said. One of the services he offered was having an eating contest with the bid winner.

The action is a tradition that Circle K members often use to raise more funds for the charities, Mena said. Due to its effectiveness in raising funds, the auction was chosen.

“We also had a talent show to show case some of the talents which our members have, and entertain our audience,” Valdivia said. Johnny Arcangle and Jason Devisfruto choreographed their own dance to a mix of popular top 40 songs.

Mena and Valdivia, along with many other members of the cabinet were relieved the night went well. A great environment with people having fun is the pay off to a long month, Valdivia said.

“There is always so much more to look forward to,” Mena said.