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Health & Fitness

Kick In To Help Storm-Damaged Monmouth Beach Elementary School During a Day of Dance

Kick Dance Studio invites families from across the Jersey Shore to attend 'Kick for a Cause' to benefit storm-damaged Monmouth Beach Elementary School.

Many people are unaware that 310 children from Monmouth Beach Elementary School remain displaced since Superstorm Sandy struck our shores 116 days ago. Kick Dance Studio invites families from across the region to attend 'Kick for a Cause' on Sunday, March 10th with dance performances at 12.30-2:00 p.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Two River Theater located at 21 Bridge Avenue in Red Bank, NJ. All ticket sales will be donated to the Monmouth Beach Elementary School PTO to purchase books, supplies and school equipment damaged in Superstorm Sandy.

Thanks to the assistance of surrounding communities, Monmouth Beach Elementary School's students currently attend classes at Wolfe Hill School in Oceanport (PreK- Kindergarten), Betty McElmon School in West Long Branch (Grades 1-3), Frank Antonides School in West Long Branch (Grade 4), and Shore Regional High School in Long Branch (Grades 5-8). The students hope to return to their familair environment, friends and teachers before the end of the school year. The eight graders are especially eager to celebrate their graduation together before heading off to area private schools and nearby Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch. 

According to Brian Farrell, Superintendent, Monmouth Beach Elementary School, “Our school has been so blessed with the charity from communities across the United States. What makes the 'Kick for a Cause' event really special is that some of our very own students will be participating in the show. They are able to give back to their school and community. What could better than that!”

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Vanessa Berry, Owner of Kick Dance Studios, was saddened to hear that Monmouth Beach Elementary School had more than three feet of water in its classrooms. Her own Fair Haven dance studio had been flooded during Sandy so she was keenly aware of the loss the childen and faculty were feeling. She also felt an urgent need to help the school because, as an alumna, she has fond memories of attending the school as a child. 

"Sandy's flood waters devastated the building, books, supplies and, more importantly, the hearts of its children," said Vanessa Berry, Owner of Kick Dance Studios. "My family and Kick's students wanted to help the school with a fundraiser that raised funds for essential school supplies, but also lifted its families and faculty's spirits with music and dance. Spreading happiness is what we do best!"

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More than 150 boys and girls, ages 5-17, from the Kick Dance Studios will showcase their talented moves during a variety of ballet, tap, hip hop, contemporary and Broadway-style dance performances. The show-stopping action will be followed by a special screening of cartoons created by the young producers at the Emmy-Winning Small Factory Productions Studio of Fair Haven. Throughout the day, Monmouth Beach Elementary School students will sell concessions to raise additional funds for the restoration.

General admission is $15 per adult/child with tickets sold at the door or call (732) 383-5301 for more information. Doors open at 12:00 p.m. Gift card donations to Staples, Target and Barnes & Noble are also greatly appreciated. Donations can also be mailed to attention: Pam Ruoff, PTO President, Monmouth Beach Elementary School, 14 Cottage Road, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750.

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