The Auxiliary of Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center is encouraging locals to “rediscover the joy of dancing to the great music of their lives” the We Should Be Dancing fundraiser Saturday.
The Auxiliary is a support branch of Sentara that provides funding and assistance to improve patient health and comfort. Founded more than 50 years ago, the organization has provided more than $1.5 million worth of resources and services to the hospital and its patients.
This new event replaces the 4th of July Ice Cream Social the Auxiliary sponsored for more than 30 years until it was discontinued last year.
Members of the Auxiliary began brainstorming a new kind of event that could re-engage the entire community until they hit upon the idea of hosting a dance at which the music of multiple generations would be showcased, and “We Should Be Dancing” was born.
Event planners are hopeful that if this year is a success the event will become an annual tradition.
The fundraiser will take place on Saturday at the College of William & Mary Mason School of Business’ Miller Hall, which will be transformed into a 1940s era nightclub for the evening.
The Williamsburg Classic Swing Orchestra and D.J. Amanda Buckley will both be performing, playing from an extensive catalogue of dance-friendly music from many decades throughout the night.
“We’ll have a little bit of disco, some Righteous Brothers, romantic slow dancing, even the Macarena,” said Marty Jones, one of the event’s co-chairs.
For those who need to take a breather from dancing, the space also boasts an impressive mezzanine area where heavy orders will be served.
In addition to a night of fun and dancing, attendees can also participate in raffle drawings for variety of prizes. The grand prize is four tickets to the Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys football game on Dec. 7, complete with parking pass. For a getaway a bit closer to home, a night in a family suite at Great Wolf Lodge is also up for grabs.
For lovers of great cuisine, gift cards from some of the area’s premier restaurants like Opus 9, the Fat Canary, Carrabba’s and the Olde Chickahominy house will also be included in the raffle.
The money raised at Saturday’s event will go to benefit the numerous health services the Auxiliary provides to the community, including free mammograms for the uninsured, free hand-knit caps for newborns, hats and scarves for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and dealing with the resulting hair loss, age-appropriate activity bags for children in the hospital’s Pediatric Unit and scholarships for area students planning to pursue a career in healthcare.
“Saturday looks like it will be the perfect autumn evening to enjoy some fun in an elegant setting,” Jones said. “We hope this will be our new signature event, because dancing is good for the body and soul.”
Tickets are $75 a person and can be purchased in advance here or at the Pineapple Gift Shop in the main lobby of Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Interested parties can also reserve tickets at the door by calling 757-220-2486.
