Dance Studios and Their Role in the Local Community – Part 3
In the previous posts in this series we covered how dance studios provide child development – a great activity for children to become active in with positive health benefits; as well as providing great role models in their lives.
These two aspects can have a tremendous impact within their community. This final post in the series delves into how a dance studio can reach out and become active in their community and have a lasting, positive impact.
Part 3 – Give Back to the Community
A community-minded dance studio, no matter how big or small can do more for the community in addition to providing a safe environment for its students to learn and grow.
When I helped my daughter open her dance studio more than 8 years ago, we decided to make a conscious effort to engage in the community through and with our students.
We made a decision to focus on three main constituents: children, veterans, and the elderly. Below are some examples of how we have reached those people over the years since the business was founded in 2008.
We try to positively touch children in a number of avenues:
- Contribute proceeds from annual Recital Father/Daughter dance to Shriner Hospitals for Children
- Partner with Christmas Clearing Council in Christmas Giving Tree toy drive to support needy families/children in the community
- Actively engage in local schools and churches, and support their fund raising efforts
- Provide free dance class field trips for local scouting organizations
We have supported our country’s veterans in a number of ways over the years:
- Performances at various VA facilities and local reserve bases in the area
- March in Annual Memorial day parades
- Clothing drives for needy vets
- Treats for Troops collections sending candy and other personal items to service people overseas
We try to impact our community’s elderly residents in a number of ways:
- Performances at local assisted living facilities by our Performing Company dance troupe
- Holiday performances at local senior housing facilities with cookie “hand outs” to residents
Being an engaged partner in your community and giving back is a great thing to do. It also provides a great experience for the children to realize the importance and impact of being active in giving back to the community.
This is the final installment of a three part series on how Dance Studios can impact their local communities.
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