Virgin Islands dancers come to Meredith as studio helps them financially

MEREDITH — Sue Nicholas, one of the tumble instructors at Lakes Region Dance Studio, has been a frequent visitor to St. John, Virgin Islands, and when she proposed bringing the Dynamic Dancers to the Lakes Region, Lea King said, “Let’s do it!”

As a result, the Meredith dance studio that King owns has embarked on a major fundraising effort that has attracted more than $4,200 in raffle prizes.

St. John’s location has made it a target each year during hurricane season, and Nicholas had “adopted” a 3-year-old child several visits ago, sending over items the girl might need after her home was devastated by a hurricane. Nicholas also taught a tumble class to a group of dancers on the island.

While there, she met Loraine Richards, the woman who established the Dynamic Dancers in 2013. The group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that allows girls who normally would not be able to afford dance lessons the opportunity to dance and, in the process, to gain self-esteem. The group dances at numerous fundraising events and also performs community service projects such as beach cleanups and helping at a senior center.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated many islands in the Caribbean last September, and several of the dancers lost their homes. That is what prompted Nicholas to come up with the idea of bringing the girls, who range in age from 4 to 13, to New Hampshire where they could take part in Lakes Region Dance Studio’s June recital.

She discussed the idea with Richards, and then with King, and all were in agreement. They formed a committee to figure out how to cover the cost of transportation and housing for 18 dancers and 12 chaperones by fundraising efforts here and on the island.

The local dance studio sent out letters to area businesses seeking donations for a raffle and King said they were overwhelmed at the response.

Tom and Shannon Fairchild of Moultonborough, who operate the Olde Orchard Inn, offered lodging for the group during their week’s stay.

Prize packages include a one-night’s stay at Mill Falls at the Lake, with a $50 gift certificate from the Common Man Restaurant, for a total value of $325; an Apple watch, valued at $329; and Scotts Annual Lawn Care Program and Elite Broadcast Spreader with five yards of mulch, valued at $475.

Other prizes include enrollment in a dance class at Lakes Region Dance, valued at $441; a $250 gift certificate to Lemon Grass Restaurant; and a half-cord of green firewood, 2 liters of maple syrup, and a $25 gift certificate at Cider Bellies, a $246 value.

In all, there are 20 prize packages in the raffle.

King said, “As owner of Lakes Region Dance, I am more proud than I ever have been to show the area that LRD gives back, and this event should very much be recognized for the kindness it brings.”

The Dynamic Dancers will arrive in the Lakes Region on May 30, and their recital will take place at Inter-Lakes Community Auditorium on June 1 and 2 at 6:30 p.m. Prizes 1-10 will be drawn on June 1 and 11-20 on June 2.

Tickets are available at Lakes Region Dance and from dancers’ families.