Last Saturday, on World Belly Dance Day, the Glen Innes Shimmy Mob Team danced their way around town, raising awareness about domestic abuse and funds for support services.
The 22 team members volunteer their time and effort to this important cause, some as dancers and others as support crew. They performed eight times in five locations in four hours and raised over $1750 thanks to donations from the public and generous contributions from the Glen Innes Railway Tavern and Glen Innes Cottage Markets as well as team members themselves.
Shimmy Mob is an international event involving teams around the world dancing the same choreography to the same song on the same day, all while wearing the same t-shirt. The Glen Innes team is proud to be part of this worldwide movements to create social change, one shimmy at a time.
“We are excited to bring people together through dance and to raise awareness about an important issue that affects so many people,” said Francesca Anastasi, founder of Shimmy Mob.
“By participating in this event, people can show their support for domestic violence prevention and help raise funds for local shelters and support services.”
The Glen Innes team use the funds they raise to put together Dignity Bags to donate to Share the Dignity’s It’s in the Bag campaign each November. As well as collecting money, they also collect toiletry items and small luxuries to put into the bags as well as suitable bags to use. Local businesses are encouraged to give discounts on the purchases made by the team for the Dignity Bags.
“We have 22 members of our team this year and each one of us is keen to make a difference in our own small way,” said Helen Tucker, Team Leader for Glen Innes.
“We enjoy spending time and dancing together and we also passionately believe in talking about respectful relationships and connecting with our community.”
“We appreciate everyone that came along and supported us last weekend and hope they continue to support our efforts at future events.”
Another upcoming fundraiser is a Sip & Shimmy night at Glen Innes Services Club on Saturday 20 May at 7.00pm. Participants will get to learn some dance moves and then try them out on the dance floor. The $25 cost also includes a drink from the bar and a hip scarf to take away and continue dancing at home. All proceeds will go towards the Dignity Bags.
Learn more about Shimmy Mob at www.shimmymob.com or on social media @shimmymob on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Learn more about Share the Dignity at www.sharethedignity.org.au
Learn more about Shimmy Mob Team Glen Innes and their fundraising on the Shimmy in the Glen Facebook page or via shimmyintheglen@gmail.com. Contact Helen on 0434518951 for any enquiries, bookings or to make donations of money or goods.
Like what you’re reading? Support The New England Times by making a small donation today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Donate now