Last year, I had the pleasure of participating in my first Zumbathon. Hold-up…Dave dancing…Zumba…FOR 3 HOURS??? Not a chance! No friends, I was where I could actually help…behind the DJ console. You see, my wife Johanna introduced me to Jave Fierro (who puts on an annual Zumbathon benefitting The Michael Hoefflin Foundation) who then asked me if I could help her out by donating some sound equipment and lights, which then turned into a great new idea of having a live DJ at her Zumba event. It was a tremendous success, and I was asked to come back again this year. Over 200 Zumba fans crowded into The Warrior Fitness Camp in Santa Clarita to dance the night away.
Jave and her husband Michael have been hosting these Zumbathon fundraisers for The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for the past five years. Their mission is to give back to the organization that saw them through the most difficult year of their lives. In 2008, the unthinkable happened, and they lost their two-year-old son Jacob to Leukemia. During their darkest hour, The Michael Hoefflin Foundation stepped in and helped them with medical bills, support, and hope for the future.
In honor of their son Jacob, Jave and Michael, along with Jave’s loyal band of Zumba instructors, put on an amazing event. Each instructor hit the stage with enthusiasm and led one to three routines. Often, two or more instructors teamed up to double the fun. The music did not stop for almost three hours, and the energy from the dancing participants stayed at a fever pitch the entire time. By the end of the night, it was all hugs, hi-fives, and a ton of photos. It’s hard to imagine that a work out can be such a party, but these Zumba fanatics love to dance, sweat, and burn calories. (Johanna tracked her calorie burn at over 1800!) On top of all the fun and with T-shirt sales, general admission, and VIP tickets, they succeeded in raising over $4000 for a great cause.
So, if you love Zumba, dancing, working out, or raising money for an amazing charity, be on the lookout February 2017 for the 6th Annual Zumbathon. I hope to see you there!
For more information on The Michael Hoefflin Foundation, please click here: http://www.mhf.org