Ice skating for a CURE
Liberty’s CURE U club fundraises for a Zambian child’s club foot surgery
CHARITY — Proceeds from the fundraiser event went toward funding a child’s surgery in Zambia.
Photo Credit: Dillon brown
Liberty University’s CURE U club held a “Skate through the Decades” event to raise money to fund at least one surgery for a child in Zambia through the CURE organization at the LaHaye Ice Center March 24.
Students showed their support by coming and skating, dressed in different types of decade-themed costumes.
Awards were given out for best-dressed throughout the night, and proceeds from the event were given to the charity.
The president of CURE U at Liberty, Bryan Berguson, was pleased with the turnout for the night.
“God really showed up,” Berguson said.
“He really worked wonders.”
The point of the fundraiser was to be able to make sure at least one child in Zambia was able to afford a minor surgery.
Every participant was also given a bracelet to wear for the night with a child’s name written on the back — someone who needs a minor surgery to help his or her life in a big way.
Everyone was encouraged to pray for that child after leaving the event.
According to Cure.org, many children suffer from the birth defect “club foot,” which turns the ankle in a twisted direction.
In the United States, it is easier to fix this problem, but in many areas in the world, they aren’t able to get the same medical care due to poverty and inaccessibility.
“If we raise $500, we fund one club foot surgery… and they could learn about Jesus,” Berguson said.
The organization covers over 30 countries where people can help donate funds to help pay for surgeries for children in need.
One of the participants of this event, Maggie Barclay, heard about the event after Convocation.
“I (had) heard of CURE before — I had no idea they had a chapter here at Liberty,” Barclay said.
Not knowing how to ice skate, she was willing to just show up and hang out with friends anyway.
“It’s a great opportunity to serve, and I love kids,” Barclay said.
CURE U students even traveled to the some of the countries being serviced by the head organization, where they were able to see the organization in action with the children in need.
Berguson was one of the students to visit some of the children being helped by CURE last summer in the Philippines.
According to him, his experience put a different perspective on how important their fundraiser was and how it could directly affect someone in need around the world.
“Seeing that in person definitely motivated me,” Berguson said.
According to Amy Figueroa, who is in charge of CURE U’s social media, members of the club painted braces to send to children, to be able to cheer them up after surgery.
“Those details are really important,” Figueroa said.
According to Berguson, CURE’s mission statement is the inspiration and goal for CURE U — “Heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
For Berguson, he wants people to know that the success of the club’s fundraiser had more to do with faith than anything else.
“God was behind it all,” Berguson said.
Students interested in getting involved with Liberty’s club chapter can contact the group by searching “CURE U at Liberty University,” on Facebook or connecting with @Cure_LU on Twitter.
Hernandez is afeature reporter.