I relied on a basic concept in salsa dancing - partner work - to maximize my donation of money and clothes to Haiti earthquake victims. And I was able to do that through my connections in the salsa scene. They did all the work and all I had to do was show up for a special Salsa Night in Philadelphia on Feb. 15. So, I came prepared.
My $10 admission to the Hope for Haiti fund-raiser was doubled, thanks to Jones New York, which agreed to match every donation dollar-for-dollar. I also gave away a pair of lightly-worn blue, size-34 Fubu jeans because apparel store Aeropostale pledged to send a brand new pair of jeans to Haiti for every pair that was donated.
I figured a Haitian man whose life was turned upside down by a natural disaster could use them more than I could. And besides, I was probably in a better position than he to buy another pair. I could just go to the shopping mall on my way home from work.
Organizers generated added interest in the benefit for Haiti by arranging salsa performances featuring local salsa instructors and students and by holding a raffle drawing with coveted prizes, including a Full Weekend Pass to a three-day Salsa Congress in Philadelphia, one-month passes to unlimited classes at local dance studios, and free private lessons in salsa, mambo and hip-hop dancing.
To my surprise, I received more than I gave. I bought $5 worth of raffle tickets and two of my ticket numbers - 165789 and 165796 - were announced as winners and I took home the Full Weekend Pass to the second annual Philadelphia Salsa Fest in October ($185 value) and a package of two free admission passes to Brasil's Nightclub ($20 value), which happened to be the host venue for the Haiti benefit.
It was great to see the salsa community come together for a good cause. To a degree, people took some risk because the latest in a series of major snow storms battering the East Coast began shortly after the fund-raiser started. Sidewalks and streets were still covered with snow and ice.
But I made it to the fund-raiser and back home again safely. Together, we raised more than $5,000 with Jones New York's contribution and donated more than 200 pairs of lightly-worn jeans and shoes. And even had I not won anything that night, the personal satisfaction of giving to others in need was well worth it!
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Wil Shamlin is a reporter for the Courier Post and he writes his own blog Salsa Scene. Wil is an avid salsa dancer having danced for over four years. His experience, inside information and network, are featured weekly on his blog, providing readers with an insider's perspective on the biggest events. Great information, news and updates are always just a few clicks away!
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