Soaringwords: Bringing Zumba to Hershey Children's Hospital

One of the things I love most about being a licensed Zumba Fitness instructor is that I am provided with an instant, portable gift that I give to others. I'm not crafty, and I certainly can't cook (an understatement). But I CAN use my skills as a Zumba Fitness instructor to bring physical activity, laughter, and JOY to others! All I need to do is grab some music and a few friends, and I'm ready to... 

• Host a Zumbathon charity event for great organizations like the ALS Association, American Cancer Society, and National MS Society or for local families in need. We host a lot of these in the Central PA area, and I think it's such a great way to meet and collaborate with other instructors, meet new students, and raise money for a good cause at the same time. 
• Help a girl scout troop earn their next badge. Last year I was invited to teach a Zumba Kids class to a local troop, and it was a BLAST! We danced, played games, and laughed (a lot)! At the end of the class, the girls even performed a Zumba song with their own choreography! 
• Teach a Zumba Gold class at a nursing home or other residential facility. ZIN Linda Woodin organizes monthly classes at Paxton Ministries (a residential facility for adults with social, mental, or emotional needs). It's impossible to not have an amazing time doing this! Guaranteed that the entire room leaves with a smile!

At the Zumba Instructor Convention in August I learned about another way to help... I found out about a collaboration between Zumba Fitness and New York-based non-profit, Soaringwords. 

As part of this new program, licensed Zumba instructors visit children's hospitals across the country and teach free classes to the kids and families staying there. With the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital so class to us, it seemed like a natural fit. Another one of my Zumba "sisters", Linda Woodin, had the same idea, and we decided to team up to try to get this program rolling here in PA!

Some of my favorite Zumba Education Specialists (like ZES Richard Gormley!) are already actively involved in the program. I love hearing him talk about the JOY he is able to bring to the kids that he meets!

"I look forward to teaching my monthly classes at Children’s Hospital. Seemingly healthy children and those hooked up to IVs join the fun, some in wheelchairs, all ready to dance. These are regular kids who just want to DANCE and have FUN. We have the pleasure of delivering joy. The joy spreads and follows them back to their rooms and changes the perspective life of those present forever!” - Richard Gormley, Zumba Education Specialist

November 11. 2014 - Initial Meeting!

Time to get started! Earlier this month we had our initial meeting with the team at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, Sarah Miller & Ashley Kane. We talked about logistics (class format, location, sound system), paperwork (Soaringwords instructor agreement, photo release forms, etc.), and scheduling. The best part? We tentatively set a date for our FIRST CLASS - January 13, 2015! 

Look for additional posts about Soaringwords, Zumba, and the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in January! I can't wait to share updates as we get closer to our first class! 

Local to Central PA and want to join us? Contact me or Linda!

Want to start a Soaringwords + Zumba Fitness program in your area? If you are a licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor, you can learn more at www.soaringwords.org/zumba/