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Date: 2/1/2023
WESTFIELD — As the hours tick down to their 25-hour fundraiser, organizers of the Western Massachusetts Charity Danceathon are running through a final dress rehearsal before welcoming several hundred people stepping out for charity.
Middle and high school students in Westfield are putting on the danceathon — their first all-night event — to benefit local children and their families. Organizers aren’t sure how much money they’ll raise for three local charities, but 20 dancers raised $16,000 in four hours during a dry run in 2022.
“These kids are mindful of all the effort they put into it, and all the money they raise is going to help children and their families in need in Western Massachusetts. The tagline is ‘We dance because we care.’ The kids came up with that,” said Andrea York, the danceathon’s marketing director.
The Westfield Youth Recreation Center at Blessed Sacrament Church on Holyoke Road is hosting the event from 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 until 8 p.m. on Feb. 4. The call is going out far and wide for dancers and their families.
“This is not a Westfield event. We want to include all kids in Western Mass., from middle school on up,” said Yorke.
All the money raised will benefit Rachel’s Table (free food distribution), Rick’s Place (help for grieving children) and the KEVS Foundation (free youth heart screenings and CPR training).
Planning is directed by a seven-member Youth Advisory Committee and a Junior Advisory Committee. Members of these two committees are in high school or middle school and have been calling the shots, from when the event will take place down to every last detail.
“We want to help develop future leaders who will make big decisions. That part was really exiting to me. It’s all quite heartwarming,” said Yorke.
More than 125 volunteers are helping to pull off the danceathon. The students are being given advice and direction from an adult Steering Committee and Board of Directors. Dominic Monti, 18, is the only student on the board.
“I got involved with the danceathon to not only benefit the community but to connect other teens with organizations that work for those who need help such as those who are grieving or experiencing food insecurity,” said Monti.
There will be no problem filling a dance card during the danceathon. Several DJs will be playing for the entire 25 hours. Students came up with the playlist that includes Latin, Polish and Irish music plus Zumba, ballroom dancing, hits from the ’80s and beach music. There will also be places to rest, play games and enjoy different activities. Security and medical personnel will be on hand for the entire event.
Student organizers met monthly when they started planning the danceathon a year ago, and as often as four times a month as the event drew closer. They got together on Sunday nights, after homework, activities, sports and other responsibilities had been taken care of.
“These kids are so inspiring. They blow me away every day. Their energy, enthusiasm and vision are palpable. There is no question in my mind that with these kids, our future is bright. I am so inspired by them. They are the reason the adults involved are helping them,” said Yorke.
The students have endured the pressure of working with the adult board, doing media interviews planning and publicizing the event, and everything else that comes with putting on a dance party for hundreds of people. The next step is seeing who can keep up the pace for as long as 25 hours.
“These kids are driven. I don’t think many of them are going to go home. They’re going to be on the dance floor a good amount of time. It’s definitely a dance party,” said Yorke.
Anyone that wants to register to dance, sponsor a dancer make a donation or volunteer at the event can visit www.wmcd.org for more information. Advance registration and parent permission is required to participate in the dance.
Dancers must be middle or high schoolers, and only registered dancers will be allowed on the floor. High schoolers (grades 9-12) are welcome to participate any time from 6 p.m. on Feb. 3 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 4; middle schoolers (grades 6-8) will dance 3-8 p.m. on Feb. 4.