LAST YEAR'S UNITED for Uganda lock-ins, held in November 2006 and January 2007, raised nearly $4,000 toward rehabilitating former child soldiers in the East African country.

UFU is looking to make the fundraising event an annual tradition. The student organization will hold a lock-in for juniors and seniors this weekend at Uni from 9 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday. Tickets were on sale for $20 until Tuesday and will cost $25 through Friday.

Activities planned for the lock-in include a dance from 9 to 11:30 p.m., Twister, movies, an eating contest, a poker tournament, and even glow-in-the-dark dodgeball. Faculty and parent volunteers will chaperone the event.

The sophomore class can buy tickets to the dance portion for $10.

“It’s gonna be a lot of fun” said senior Marika Iyer, one of the UFU organizers. “We have a lot of amusing games, I’m playing music, Kimmie [Pillow]’s going to be dancing, there’ll be a lot of free food. People should come and hang out all night with their friends.”

Proceeds from the event will go to Come Let’s Dance, a grassroots organization in Uganda that rehabilitates former child soldiers from the 20-yearlong civil war.

“It’s Ugandan-based,” Iyer said of CLD and its programs, “which is one of the reasons why we support it. It’s more direct.”

Added senior Shara Esbenshade, another of the UFU organizers: “The focus is on empowering the community and the children. Not like, ‘Here, we’ll build you a house and then we’ll leave.’ They’re actually going there, and maybe they won’t stay there forever, but it’s a long-term project. They’re helping the community help themselves. The community has control.”

Because of the extensive time and effort required to organize a successful lock-in, there is no guarantee that a similar event will be held again this year, according to Assistant Director Sue Kovacs.

Students who are unable to make it to the lock-in are welcome to donate to UFU, or purchase DVDs and T-shirts for sale by the club, which can be obtained by contacting Esbenshade or Iyer.

“I really encourage people to take a break,” said Esbenshade. “I’ve heard so many people telling me, ‘I can’t go, I have too much work to do, I have too much studying to do, I have too many college apps to do.’ Of course they’re stressed out. I also have tons of college apps to do. But you’re not going to be successful on your college apps if you don’t take time out to relax. This is a great way to take a night out and not worry about anything school related, or anything academic."

Class of 2007 members Annie Liang, Marquis Wang, Ben Schaap, and Alex Cahill play cards in the lounge during UFU's November 2006 lock-in. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)