Amnesty International raised $471 hosting a hoedown at the ZOE House as a Water for Panama fundraiser on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.

The hoedown was true to its name, offering line dancing, games and food. Co-President of Amnesty International, Megan Rigabar, senior, said Water for Panama is a non-for profit organization that builds wells in Panama. It also teaches the local people sanitation methods and gives resources for a cleaner, healthier life. The founder of Water for Panama is Rachel Pace, an alumna of Lafayette High School.

Other issues Amnesty International is involved with are fair trade and microloans.

“Microloans help people in poverty start businesses; it is like money recycling,” Meghana Kumar, Amnesty International member, said.

Monique Merritt, spanish teacher, holds Water for Panama dear to her heart because Pace was a former student. The idea for the organization came to fruition in her class and Merritt is proud of Pace’s success.

Paige Hartley, sponsor of Amnesty International,  gives full recognition to the student members of Amnesty International and ZOE house for the hoedown being possible.

“The kids planned with ZOE House,” Hartley said.

Director of the ZOE House, Matt Hunter, and Assistant Director, Peter Cunningham, were the faces of ZOE House during the event.

Merritt was involved with the event as well and helped spread the word.

Merritt said the event was electric energy. It was two hours of solid dancing, games and uplifting music; the environment was nonjudgmental and fun.

“We never got an exact count, but at one point in the dance my brother counted almost 60 people,” Rigabar said.

Rigabar didn’t know what to expect in terms of turnout but was mainly focused on getting people involved.

As of now, there are no set plans for a future dance or large event, but one could be in the works.

Still, Amnesty International holds weekly meetings in addition to outside events. The group meets Thursday at 7:20 a.m. in Room 230.

“Amnesty International is a global vision to help people who really need help and involves everyone, not just people who are interested in politics and speak Spanish,” Merritt said.