Submitted by the James Arthur Albert Foundation

Drake University students joined with local elementary kids April 20 to help schoolchildren in Belize.

The Drake students hosted a “Dance-Athon” at the Cowles Montessori School gym, 6401 College Ave., Windsor Heights, to benefit the James Arthur Albert Foundation, which assists with educational needs of impoverished children in Belize. The event for families and students featured Drake’s mascot, Spike, the Drake Dance Team and others giving instructions on line dancing, doing the Conga and enjoying activities.

Jim Albert of Urbandale, a Drake Law School professor and founder of the James Arthur Albert Foundation, presented a short program during the event to explain the group’s work in Belize. He also provided Popsicles to the students at the end of the evening to show appreciation for their participation.

Nan Kloberdanz, a teacher at Cowles, helped organize the event, which raised more than $1,000. Kloberdanz had learned about the involvement of Albert and the Drake Law School students in helping the Belize schoolchildren from an article in The Des Moines Register. Inspired by that story, she and her students also raised more than $1,600 for the foundation through other fundraisers.

Kloberdanz and Albert say they hope the efforts of the Cowles students will be duplicated by others in central Iowa.

“We like to make a difference, because we are a global community,” Kloberdanz says.