The holiday spirit was in full swing Friday as about 70 East Halls residents attended the first charity Winter Wonderland Prom.

Rather than pay an admission fee, guests made donations to benefit the local food bank and women's resource center.

Galen Foulke, former USG president, and Tara Bartosiewicz (senior-political science) worked together to organize the event, which was held at Fisher Hall.

As Bartosiewicz took a break from dancing and taking pictures with friends, she expressed why she wanted to make the event happen.

"I thought it was important to get the civil justice theme out there, and at the holiday season it's always good to give to the community," Bartosiewicz said.

Foulke, who proposed the idea of the event, said he hoped to have 50 to 100 donations. His expectations were met when the final amount of donations reached seven full plastic bags of items, ranging from tomato soup to toothbrushes.

Sharona Ellaurie (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said she came to the prom not only to get dressed up and go out with her friends, but because of its purpose.

"It has a cause. At least we know we are doing something important," Ellaurie said.

Helping to make this prom possible were the resident assistants of Tener Hall, including the Living in a Free Environment (LIFE) house floor, one of the special living options on campus.

"It's a good option for people who don't like to party with alcohol, like the typical party," resident assistant Emily Jungblut (senior-public relations) said.

Events such as the Winter Wonderland Prom are planned to complement a lifestyle without alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

"I go to most of the events they have for LIFE house," Colleen Konsavage (freshman-English) said, "and [the charity prom] was a good way to get people to donate. It was clever."

Pamphlets from the Centre County Women's Resource Center were available to inform students about domestic and sexual violence as well as volunteer opportunities.