Dusty Daines admits she's not a very good dancer, but on April 16 she's aiming to be a stage-burning sensation.
The local mother and educational assistant at Innisfail Middle School, who's also the president of the Innisfail Eagles hockey club, will be enthusiastically putting on her dancing shoes for the annual Sheraton Red Deer Celebrity Dance Off, a fundraising event for charity.
“We are doing a triple step. It is a very fast dance,” said Daines, who has been taking weekly dancing lessons since last October. “That is what I said from the start, that I wanted to do something that is fast and fun and would get the crowd into it.”
Organizers for this year's fifth annual event have chosen Red Deer's Julietta's Place as the recipient charity for the fundraiser. Julietta's Place, which is owned and operated by Red Deer-based Women's Outreach, is devoted to giving Central Alberta women and their children a safe and caring haven from domestic violence.
“I did this just to help people. I see the need for that (Julietta's Place), within our own community -- a safe haven for mothers and their own children,” said Daines. “Working at the school you become more aware of things. It is nice that there is that option.”
To participate, Daines and seven other contestants had to raise a minimum $15,000 for the dance off. On Feb. 18, Daines hosted a live auction at the Innisfail Auction Market to meet and exceed that target. The community responded spectacularly.
She said final figures have not yet been tabulated but estimated between $38- and $40,000 was raised during her local fundraiser.
“I was hoping we would hit $25,000, maybe $30,000. It was just unbelievable how people just stepped up here,” said Daines, whose auction featured the sale of hockey memorabilia, livestock, wine baskets and even homemade bread.
The money raised by Daines and the other contestants will go towards paying off the mortgage at Julietta's Place, which is now about $175,000 from an original $400,000.
Barb Barber, the executive director of Women's Outreach, was at Daines' fundraiser and said her agency is contracted to provide service at Julietta's Place for at least 25 years.
“This facility and program is going to be around for a very long time,” said Barber, who is also providing administrative support for the other contestants.
Although she did not have figures immediately available on the number of Innisfail women and children that have accessed the service, she noted it has helped many Central Alberta citizens in need.
The Julietta's Place program started in late 2010. There are 34 beds in the 10-unit apartment-style facility. Barber said families can stay up to 18 months and utilize intensive supports to help them as they move forward, heal and live a life without violence.
“This event is giving us the opportunity to pay off that mortgage we wouldn't otherwise normally have,” said Barber. “It provides that security for the program, which can then provide safety and security for families.”
For more information on the event and how to make a pledge, citizens can go to the website at www.womensoutreach.ca/events/celebrity-dance-off/
They can also contact Nicole Harlow at [email protected] or call 587-877-5934.
Dusty Daines
"I did this just to help people. I see the need for that (Julietta's Place), within our own community -- a safe haven for mothers and their own children."
