What happens when someone with a passion to build a community landmark meets someone with a passion to build a community that dances together? The answer is a fundraiser with a novel twist.
Star Dusters square dance club, with the enthusiastic help of Anna Hindle and the blessing of Marine Area Business Association, plan to raise money for the community clock during the Blackberry Festival Street Party. The scheme is to have people who have never square danced before take part in the Star Dusters’ square dance at the street party for a brief period, 8 to 8:30 pm on Friday, August 16. They will be given a rudimentary lesson followed by a short dance to show off what they have learned.
“Dedicated square dancers are shocked to learn that square dancing isn’t ‘cool,’” said Gord Ruedig, club caller. “For those who subscribe to this notion, a sort of phobia has emerged, the fear of being seen doing something un-cool by one’s peers.” Fortunately, he adds, this is the stuff fundraisers are made of. “Why not offer peers an opportunity to laugh at us—for a price? Agree to do the dance—but only if friends, family, classmates and co-workers will provide sponsorship with pledges which will be donated to the community clock fund? You can raise money for a good cause, keep at least some of your dignity intact and even (don’t tell anyone) have some fun.”
Hindle, the driving force behind the Clock Tower Project, has agreed to do just that. From now until August 16, she is asking people to visit her business and make a pledge to see her suffer the indignity of learning to square dance in public. “Come in and make a pledge and then come down to the street party on August 16 and jeer…er, cheer her on,” said Ruedig.
Readers who wish to join Hindle and turn phobia into philanthropy can pick up their own pledge sheets at Hindle’s Camera and Stationery and get their friends and co-workers to sponsor them as well. All proceeds will be donated to the Community Clock Fund.
For more information readers can visit Hindle’s or contact Ruedig at 604.487.9565 or Laurel Bennett at 604.485.7262.
