metro

Dance For A Cause

Joe Cornell graduation event becomes
fundraiser for kids with special needs.

Lynne Meredith Golodner
Special to the Jewish News

T

his year, the 300 sixth-grad-
ers enrolled in Joe Cornell
Entertainment dance classes raised
$7,000 for the Friendship Circle as the recipi-
ent of their Jan. 24 graduation dance-for-a-
cause at Orchard Mall.
This is the fourth year Joe Cornell
designated a worthy local nonprofit to
benefit from the philanthropic efforts of
students and families in its dance program.
Combined, the past three years raised more
than $25,000 for Kids Kicking Cancer and the
Bear Hug Foundation.
"When we developed the idea to add a
leadership component to our dance program,
I wasn't sure if the kids would embrace it:'
says Steve Jasgur, president of Joe Cornell
Entertainment and co-owner with his sis-
ter, Rebecca Schlussel. "But they love it. It
gives purpose and inspiration to our dance

program, and helps us finish on a very high
level."
Schlussel says, "The Friendship Circle is a
cause everyone can get on board with. This is
a meaningful organization right here in our
community."
Since the 1950s, Joe Cornell
Entertainment has been teaching middle-
schoolers the art of social interaction through
dance. Embedded in weekly lessons are
subtle, crucial messages about how to treat
others and how to interact confidently with
the opposite gender.
Research shows that children who are
taught etiquette and social graces actually
learn kindness, responsibility and gentleness,
helping them succeed in an increasingly rude,
tumultuous world.
The West Bloomfield-based Friendship
Circle provides programs and support to the
families of individuals with special needs.

❑

Steve Jasgur with grand prize winners Jack Walt, Hannah Charlip, Sydney
Gordon and Makenzie Martin.

r

Lynne Meredith Golodner is a writer and owner of

Your People LLC, a public relations firm.

Hannah Tighe, Eden Schwartz, Madison Liebman, MC Josh, Matthew

Liebman and Ben Schlussel

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February 7 • 2013

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