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Grooving gets fundraising moving for young tot

Date: 8/18/2009

By Kaitlyn Schroyer

Staff Intern



EAST LONGMEADOW Noah Beavis isn't like other boys his age. He is walking a hard road in life. Noah has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth.

Brenda Edwards, along with her staff at Quantum Life Management Center, is hosting a Zumba Dance-A-Thon to help Noah and his family.

"Zumba is a Latin inspired fitness routine," Sue Gerardi, a staff member at Quantum, explained. "It's never the same everywhere you go and you don't have to be a dancer to do it."

Zumba was originally introduced to the United States in the south. A new kind of aerobic workout, it has just been starting to become popular in New England. It combines Latin and international music using simple steps and exercises to create a great workout that works the whole body.

"Not a lot of places have it. You must be a certified instructor. In addition to Zumba, we will be having an instructor with a more hip hop routine," Gerardi said.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 29 at Quantum, 30 Westwood Ave., there will be four instructors, a different one every hour, teaching Zumba and dance routines. All the instructors teaching Zumba are certified. The whole event is to raise money for Noah.

"People can just stop by or make a donation. There will be raffle prizes and it will be a very fun event. Ditch the routine and join the party!" Gerardi commented.

The rain date for the event is Aug. 30.

Donations are welcomed and can be sent to United Cooperative Bank, c/o Gina Fusick, 1325 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. All the donations will be going to the Noah Beavis Benefit Fund.