Spearfish community dance to benefit Cancer Society

By Jan Kaus, Lawrence County Journal | Thursday, March 27, 2008

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SPEARFISH -- The latest in a lineup of Relay For Life fundraisers is an open invitation to the community to attend “Dancing For Life” at the pavilion in the Spearfish City Park on Sunday, March 30.

The dance will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., so people can come and go as they please.

“It’s a reason to dress up and help a really good cause,” one of the event organizers, Hillary Stevens, said.

Stevens and Aeriell Follette, both seniors at Spearfish High School, are part of a Relay For Life team in its second year at the school. Sponsored by the Key Club and Spearfish Kiwanis, the team is gearing up for the June relay event that benefits the American Cancer Society.

Follette, who is the team captain, said they wanted to come up with a fun way to raise money and show people teenagers can organize an event -– and a classy one at that.

The dance will have a family focus and will target the older generation, Follette said.

“This is not a teen-oriented, high school dance.”

Babysitting services will even be provided on site, so parents can have some time to dance and enjoy without having to leave their kids behind. The services can be used one dance at a time or for however long parents would like.

Children are welcome to join in the dancing, too.

In addition to DJ services for at least part of the event, the girls are hoping to incorporate some local musicians to perform segments throughout the evening.

“We want to offer a variety of music, break it up and keep it interesting for the people who aren’t dancing also … so they have music to listen to and enjoy,” Follette said.

There will be a silent auction (donations are welcome) ending at 8 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

Both girls said last year was their first experience with Relay For Life.

“I had heard of it, but I didn’t realize what it was or that it was so big,” Follette said.

Both have been touched by cancer in their families and with people they love, so their drive to support the American Cancer Society is even stronger.

Follette said, in addition to her dad being a cancer survivor and losing her aunt recently to cancer, she has a close friend about her own age who she found out last year is a cancer survivor.

“It can affect anyone,” she said.

Stevens has a grandfather with cancer and another who lost his battle with with the disease.

After participating in they relay for the first time last year, both girls plan to stay involved.

“It was one of those experiences that just made me glad I came,” Stevens said. “It was so amazing.”

Follette agreed, calling it “incredibly overwhelming.”

“I don’t think I could not go now,” Follette said.

“It makes you wonder why everybody doesn’t get involved,” Stevens agreed.

Last year, the high school team raised $1,400 without many fundraisers –- thanks to a successful traveling bake sale.

“We may do a bake sale again this year -– probably in May or June,” Follette said.

For now, they’re focusing on the dance and finding artists and businesses willing to donate items for the silent auction.

They’re thankful to the Kiwanis for helping cover the pavilion rental and to the City for giving the fundraising discount rate. The staff at Grace Balloch Memorial Library has been very supportive as well, they said.

“Spearfish is a really great community as far as helping us out,” Stevens said. “It’s a trust thing … that we’re not just throwing a big senior party,” she said with a smile.

If you go

What: Dancing For Life

When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, March 30

Where: Pavilion in Spearfish city park.

Cost: Tickets are $10 each or $25 per family. Tickets are available at Grace Balloch Memorial Library, Perkins restaurant and at the door the night of the event; or by calling 641-3808.

More: Anyone interested in donating items for the silent auction, or musicians interested in providing entertainment should call 641-3808.