ACU will have its second-ever dance on March 1 in Bennett Gym from 7-10 p.m. The Student Social Work Association is putting on the Second Chance Dance to collect donations for domestic-abuse victims.

The Second Chance Dance is the big spring event for the SSWA. Jennifer Carpenter, senior social work major from Fort Worth and vice president of SSWA, is in charge of planning the dance.

“A member had an idea that we should have a formal and we started throwing ideas around and we decided we needed a purpose and started talking about second chances,” Carpenter said. “Our sponsor went to a private school and never had dances. So this is also a second chance for people who didn’t get the high school dance experience.”

The theme of second chances is in every detail. All decorations will be purchased from a thrift store, and students are encouraged to wear second-hand clothes to the dance.

“People buy expensive dresses for ACU formals,” Carpenter said. “We want to encourage people to go to the thrift store for our dance. I’m really hoping to see some awesome ’80s prom dresses. I’m planning on wearing one myself.

“The Swing Cats are also helping us and will be there dancing the night away. There will be country music as well as a hired DJ. I’ll even say it: there will be some pop and whatever else DJs play,” Carpenter said.

Admission for the dance is a new hygiene product such as soap, deodorant, or toothpaste. These products will be donated to help give domestic-abuse victims a second chance.

“There is a gap in funding for hygiene products,” Lauren Land, SSWA president and senior social work major from Prosper, said. “Food stamps don’t cover hygiene.”

Hygiene products will be donated to Chickasaw Nation’s family resource center.

“A group of social work students will be going to Ada, Okla. to visit the Chickasaw Nation during spring break and learn more about their culture and get hands-on experience in the many different fields the profession of social work can provide,” Land said. “The dance reflects social work students’ desire to serve people in unique and creative ways.”

The first 25 people through the door will receive a free t-shirt. To RSVP to the event go to http://www.facebook.com/events/209962985814037/.