To Life
Displaying a poster for the Dance House benefit recital are Jacob Wolfe, 8, Dani Wolfe, 6, Nikki Fleischman, 13, Tyler Wolfe, 10, and Andie Wolfe, 3, all of West Bloomfield.
Dancing For Jessie
Competitors use their feet for a fundraising benefit.
Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer
K
im Wolfe of West Bloomfield
went from feeling helpless fol-
lowing the death of her infant
niece to being part of a group working to
support research toward a cure for the dis-
ease that took the baby's life last year.
Jessie Vincent, whose family lives in
West Bloomfield, was diagnosed with
spinal muscular atrophy when she was 4
months old. "She died the day before her
first birthday;' said Wolfe.
According to Families of Spinal
Muscular Atrophy, the disease is the No.
1 genetic killer of kids younger than 2. It
destroys the nerves controlling voluntary
muscle movements. that affect crawling,
walking, head and neck control — even
swallowing.
For fundraising help, Wolfe turned to
the place her family spends hours each
week: Dance House in West Bloomfield. "I
went to the dance studio where my four
children dance and talked to the owners,
Kim and Darryl Fink," Wolfe said. "I was
looking for a way to do something through
the studio that would make a contribution
to the charity."
What the Finks suggested floored Wolfe.
"They said they would donate 100 percent
of the proceeds from their Thursday, May
24, student dance recital."
From there, the students took over. "Kim
and Darryl approached them:' Wolfe said.
"Everyone at the school is close and they
all knew about Jessie'
The 60-member competition team
— which includes Wolfe's three oldest
children — began spreading the word
about the benefit recital.
"I told all my friends about the show
and hung posters:' said team member
Nikki Fleischman, 13, of West Bloomfield.
"And some kids went to Baskin Robbins
(in West Bloomfield) and they gave 20 per-
cent of their proceeds from one night to
the charity. I feel very fortunate that I get
to dance and I feel good giving back for
the people who can't dance"
Added Donations
Wolfe's children took on a remarkable
task. "Tyler, 10, Jacob, 8, Dani, 6,and even
31/2-year-old Andie got together and wrote
letters to the Walled Lake school board:'
Wolfe said. The school district then donat-
ed the use of Walled Lake Central High
School for the recital, allowing for much
higher profits, all of which will be donated.
Nikki Fleischman's parents also became
involved. "With three children dancing,
we've been a part of Dance House for
a long time' said Nikki's mom, Denise.
"We've always taught our kids that they
are lucky for the things they have and the
importance of giving back."
In addition to the time spent fund-
raising, Denise said, "We wanted to do
something to help so that all the proceeds
from the recital could be profit!' So they
donated the cost of the lighting for the
show, with a donation from the family's
Fleischman Foundation.
The hope is for all 700 seats in the high
school auditorium to be sold.
In addition to ticket sales, Denise said,
"Each kid involved is responsible for sell-
ing $100 in ads for the recital program,
with proceeds going to the charity" And
it's not just the students doing the selling;
one mother sold $1,000 in ads.
Wolfe's daughter, Tyler, said she wants
to raise money because she doesn't "want
other families to hurt as bad as our family."
"The cousins are all extremely close
Wolfe said. "My girls wear a necklace with
a I' on it."
Wolfe is in awe at the widespread
outreach of the project. "The Jewish com-
munity is amazing;' she said. In addition
to the fundraising endeavor, she said,
"Temple Israel [in West Bloomfield],
where Jessie's family belongs, has shown
tremendous support.
"Words can't even express how we feel
about the involvement. With all the bad
in the world, we're seeing so many people
with good, giving hearts, who care so
much. It's very touching. It is amazing
what people are doing." II
For information on the benefit dance
recital or to purchase tickets at $15,
call the Dance House at (248) 960-
3262. The performance will take
place at Walled Lake Central High
Schoo1,1600 E. Oakley Park Road,
Commerce Township. Proceeds
from the event go to the Families of
Spinal Muscular Atrophy-Michigan
Chapter. For information on the dis-
ease or to make a donation, contact
(517) 669-1665 or curesma.org .
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a
genetic disease of the motor neu-
rons affecting the voluntary muscles
used for activities such as crawling,
walking, head and neck control and
swallowing. Approximately one in
6,000 babies is affected, and about
one in 40 people is a genetic carrier.
SMA can strike anyone of any
age, race or gender, but of children
diagnosed before age 2, 50 percent
will die before their second birthday.
SMA affects muscles throughout the
body, although the muscles near-
est to the trunk of one's body, like
shoulders, hips and back, are often
most severely affected.
Involvement of respiratory mus-
cles can lead to an increased ten-
dency for pneumonia and other lung
problems. Sensation and the ability
to feel are not affected. Intellectual
activity is normal.
May 17 • 2007
31