Purpose
The purpose of Dance for Kids (colloquially referred to as "D4K") is to provide a semi-formal dance for teenagers with special needs in Yolo and Sacramento counties. Many of these teens do not have the opportunity to attend a prom or other formal event that other students do, and Dance for Kids is an opportunity for them to have that experience.
The Event
Dance for Kids is an annual event run entirely by the students of Alpha Phi Omega's Iota Phi Chapter at UC Davis, generally through a committee of students. Most years this project has been funded through various fundraisers that the fraternity raises through grants or fraternity hosted events. Many of the attendees of the event come from the Davis Alternative Recreation Program. Usually the event is announced and a sign up is required by the parent in order for the chapter to assess the size of the event and appropriately allocate money and locate a venue as well as other resources as needed.
All aspects of the event are managed by the brothers of Alpha Phi Omega: promoting the event to the community, registration, food preparation, entertainment, security, venue preparation and cleanup, and music. The event traditionally features dinner, live entertainment, and dancing. Some years have included prom-esque photography, as well.
History
Dance for Kids was originally inspired by Alpha Phi Omega member Christopher Takemori. The first annual Dance for Kids was held during Spring 2004. In Fall 2003, Chris had come across an application for the APO's Youth Service Grant—a grant from the National Fraternity to initiate service projects. He applied for the grant with the idea of Dance for Kids in mind. In Spring 2004, Chris' succeeding Service Vice Presidents, Michelle Jaromay and Clayton Luu, were notified that the Iota Phi Chapter had received a Youth Service Grant in the amount of $500 and the first Dance for Kids was organized.
Venues
2004: Davis Senior Center 2005: Veteran's Memorial 2006: Veteran's Memorial 2007: Davis Senior Center 2008: Davis Senior Center 2009: Davis Community Church 2010: Davis Community Church
Random Facts
*The entire chapter worked together under the direction of Service Vice Presidents Michelle Jaromay and Clayton Luu and organized the very first Dance for Kids in only a month. Service-committee meetings were used to plan the event and allocate out responsibilities for different tasks.
*The 4th annual Dance for Kids hosted close to 30 kids from Stockton to Dixon in comparison to the 12 kids from Davis at the very first Dance for Kids.
*The 7th annual Dance for Kids hosted around 50 kids
Past Sample Menus
2004 |
Starters: |
Garlic Bread |
Fresh Green Salad w/ ranch or Balasmic Vingerette |
Main course: |
Spicy Chicken Alferdo w/ linguini. * |
Penne Primavera (vegetiarian) |
Dessert: |
**Cheesecake with a blueberry and chocalte sauce. |
**Jello Terine |
*Sauce broke, and had to be changed to a spicy bolangese 20 minutes before servering.
2006 |
Starters: |
Bruchetta |
Fresh Green Salad w/ ranch or |
Raspberry Vingerette, Wild rice, asperagus and broccoli |
Main course: |
Beef Wellington with a spicy honey dijon sauce. |
Chicken Picatta with a lemon caper sauce. |
Stuffed manicotti with a cream of mushroom sauce and spicy 5-alarm sauce. |
Dessert: |
Chocolate Gaunche Torte |
Jello Terine |
Fresh seasonal fruit with creme fresh |
Rose water and poppy seed infused vanilla ice cream |
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