For Release: June 30 – TFN:
Contact: Mel Tansill (301-572-8399, ext. 2072)
Silver Spring Retirees Will Dance with Partners Nearly Half Their AgeTo Raise Money for Riderwood’s Benevolent Care Fund
July 30 “Dancing with the Riderwood Stars” Event to Feature Mamba, Hip-Hop, Disco, and Foxtrot; Event Has Already Raised $10,500 in Advance Ticket Sales and $1,500 in Voting Pledges
SILVER SPRING, MD (June 30-July 30, 2010) – Silver Spring retirees will dance with partners nearly half their age July 30, from 7-9 p.m., to raise money for charity when “Dancing With the Riderwood Stars” takes center stage at Riderwood, the nation’s largest continuing care retirement community. The Riderwood residents will dance with staff members to raise money for the campus’ Benevolent Care Fund, an endowment which provides financial assistance to residents accessing long-term health care who might need it. The residents will dance the Mamba, Foxtrot, Hip-Hop, and Disco.
“Dancing with the Riderwood Stars” has already raised $10,500 in advance tickets sales, with another $1,500 raised in voting pledges.Audience will pledge money to vote for their favorite dancers, with a trophy presented to the winning dance couple.
The following residents (with their staff partners noted) will dance:Bill Boyd (with Amy Paxton of Social Work), Jim Carter (with LaToya Johnson of Transportation), Shirley Dearfield (with Jerome Shipman of Dining), Eva Hickman (with Gilbert Hollie of Dining), Marie Mathis (with Fernando Moreno of Maintenance), Martin Swetnik (with Janet Birchfield of Transportation), John Teti (with Laura Hamilton of Human Resources), Pete Traversa (with April Punzo of Renaissance Gardens), and Roz Wetstone (with Andre Kinard of Medical Services).
“It’s a wonderful way to support the Benevolent Care Fund and be entertained at the same time, “ said Pam Shubert, Director of Philanthropy who has taken Ballroom Dance lessons and who will co-emcee the event with Jim Torrie, President of the Resident Advisory Council. “It is a great night out for everyone.”
“Dancing with the Riderwood Stars” is part of a series of Summer of Celebration fundraising events which have a combined goal of raising a total of $300,000 to support the Benevolent Care Fund. Other fundraisers include a Summer Swing Dance, Family Love Letters, Lobster Banquet, Golf Tournament, and a Charity Raffle.
Riderwood’s 2,725 residents this year are celebrating their campus’ 10th Anniversary. Riderwood is located on 120 acres across two county lines (Montgomery County and Prince George’s County). Riderwood, which is managed by Maryland-based Erickson Living, has two fitness centers, a spa service, an aquatics center, three creative art studios, five beauty salons, convenience stores, two billiards rooms, and two computer labs. It also has five dining areas and a pub. In addition, it has a Chapel, tennis courts, a family picnic area, a Wii gaming area, a golf putting green, and a Performance Hall.
Riderwood employs 1,400 full-time and part-time staff, ranking it among the region’s largest employers with one of the most diverse workforces. Employees have self-identified 18 different countries of origin at special programs held regularly to celebrate employees’ individual culture and heritage. English as a Second Language classes are offered to employees through the Community College of Prince George’s County.
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