A group of 12 local women belly danced their way around Berkeley Springs on Saturday May 13, raising more than $4,000 for Stepping Stones to a Brighter Future, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to survivors of domestic violence in Morgan County.
Rose Jackson of Stepping Stones and
Angela Petry of Bellysima Bellydance
The dancers were part of a world wide charity dance event known as Shimmy Mob.
Organized by Angela Petry, founder and instructor of Bellysima Bellydance, the Berkeley Springs Shimmy Mob Team raised $4,050 for Stepping Stones to a Brighter Future.
Last year, the group raised a little over $2,700 for Stepping Stones.
The dancers performed at the Morgan County Master Gardener’s Plant Fair in Berkeley Springs State Park, the Morgan County Courthouse, Give Purrs a Chance and between Black Cat Music Shop and Mi Ranchito.
This year the group was accompanied by the Tri-State Ukeclectic Orchestra.
Local businesses and individuals sponsored the dancers and cash donations were collected after each performance.
“We were overwhelmed with the community and individual support for our efforts this year,” said Angela Petry. “The donations just kept coming in. This was our fifth year participating in Shimmy Mob, and our most successful to date.”
In addition to individual contributions, the following businesses sponsored the 2017 Shimmy Mob Team: American Legion Post 60, American Legion Auxiliary, Ben’s Plumbing, Berkeley Springs Brewing Company, Berkeley Springs Bridge Club, Berkeley Springs Memories, Black Dog Coffee, Bob’s Tires, Buddy Lou’s, Clark’s, CNB Bank, Community Garden Market, Bob’s Tires, Equine Solutions, FAST, Hunter’s Hardware, Itty Bitty Global Gift Shop, Lone Wolf Tobacco Plus, Miramar’s Dance Arabesque, Mountain Laurel, Mountainside Restaurant/Georgie’s Pizza, The Naked Olive, Rita Renee’s Spa, Riverbend Family Medicine, Skeeter’s Autobody, Star Theatre, State Farm, Total Image Salon, Weaver’s Painting and Staining.
Rehearsal space was donated by MAC Ice House, InMotion Dance Studio, and Tejase Yoga and Massage. Technical support was donated by Audio Hill Recording.