Dance United raises $27, 661 for United Way
The third annual Dance United event raised $27,661 for United Way, much more than their projected goal of $15,000.
The event entailed ten couples performing dance routines throughout the night, as well as performances from different groups such as the Central Michigan University Dance Team and the University Theater Dance Company.
Event attendees and members of the community could vote for their favorite dancing couple by voting on the United Way website.
Andrew Brown, student United Way president and campaign chair, explained that dancing duos were university students and members of the community, and were selected through an open audition process.
“Each duo has their own giving page on the United Way website, and people wishing to vote for them can go to their page and make a donation,” said Brown a fifth-year senior from Okemos. “The money raised goes to the 31 affiliate agencies that United Way helps out.”
Brown explained the money raised from the night would help out the university goal of raising $90,000 for United Way.
The idea for Dance United originally began as a capstone for the United Way campaign, and benefits Isabella County’s most effective non-profits.
Paige Burnia, a senior from South Lyon, performed as part of the event with Club Hip Hop, a university dance team.
“I think it’s really great for our club to be involved in an event like this,” she said. “This event is great because it’s unique. It is diverse in who it involves and it’s a lot of fun.”
Dan Ekonen and Jessi Parker were one of the couples to dance during the event.
They explained they trained with a choreographer for just over a month to perfect their dance routine.
“It was such a rush,” Ekonen said. “We started out not knowing anything about dance and now we’re here. I think we hit all our moves and did a great job.”
At the end of the event, a check was presented to members of United Way, and it was announced that Carol Provenzano and Paul Murray won the dance competition, raising $6,460. Coming in second were Chris Stovak and Nel Boose.
The event began at 7 p.m. but a VIP reception was held beforehand, allowing sponsors and others to network and talk before the event began.
Emily Cotterman, a senior from Monroe who performed with the University Theater Dance Company, said she loved being a part of the event.
“I didn’t realize how big of an event this is,” she said. “United Way does a lot of good.”
