SERVICE SOCIETY AT EXPRESSIONS DANCE
We LOVE seeing our dance families work together to make a difference which is why we created the "Expressions Dance Service Society!" Students that participate in our community projects will become members of the Service Society. They will be recognized for their service with a certificate and collectable award. These credentials will acknowledge their involvement in a good cause and will look amazing on future college scholarship applications and resumes! We are so excited to have a program within our studio to help us teach our students the importance of service and community involvement!
WINTER PROJECT-"DANCE FOR LIFE" pajama & book drive
We are collecting pajamas and books to donate to local organizations including the Utah Foster Care Association, Christmas Box House, Safe Harbor, the Road Home, and more.
ABOUT DANCE FOR LIFE: In 2009 a few studio owners decided that it shouldn’t just be about dancing during the holidays, it should be about “making a difference” in someone else’s life! What a better way to do that than to use our talents and provide an amazing night of dance joined together with our sister studios? The idea evolved into an annual benefit concert, “Dance For Life.” We wanted to create a special night for our dancers while bringing awareness to those in need during the holiday season.
So many of us have grown up with the tradition of opening up a new pair of pajamas every Christmas Eve. Kids love pajamas! We felt like giving pajamas to other children was a way to help even our youngest dancers grasp the concept of giving. We have been collecting pajamas and books for the Utah Foster Care Foundation and several other local charities each and every year since. They are always so excited to see us and so grateful for new jammies right in time for the holidays! “Dance for Life” has been a wonderful way to create more holiday spirit in our students and share a little dancing joy at the same time!
Our “Pajama Project” is an opportunity for our dancers to qualify to become a member of the “Expressions Dance Service Society.” To meet the qualifications for Service Society, each dancer needs to donate 10 pairs of pajamas, or 20 books, or $50 in cash donations. We will also accept a combination of the three donations (ex. 5 pjs and 10 books).
Get involved now by printing the letter below or forwarding the email to share with friends and family.
““I just wanted to thank you for giving your dance families the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing service project. This particular project touched us in many ways. We had a temporary foster placement over the New Year holiday weekend, and the two babies each had a few new pair of pajamas given to them since they came with nothing because of their difficult circumstances. We had to smile knowing exactly where they came from. You have blessed many, many special lives because of this kind act. Thank you for your example and generosity.””
SPRING PROJECT-"HEARTS FOR HUNGER" FOOD DRIVE
Expressions Dance Service Society recognition will be awarded to those students that meet the participation guidelines for our spring FOOD DRIVE event! To be eligible you need to:
1. Collect and donate TWENTY cans of peanut butter or canned protein or collect $50 in monetary donations. (Food must be non-expired.) 2. Attend the benefit concert and sign in at the front table.
All participants that meet the minimum requirements will be given a collectible heart charm with an official service society membership certificate! They can also download the participation letter (right column of this page) to add to their portfolio for future scholarship applications or other activities where proof of community service would be beneficial.
PAST PROJECTS & SOCIETY MEMBERS
We are excited to announce our members of service society!
2024 “Dance for Life” Books & Pajama Project.
These dancers collected 10 pajamas, 20 books, or $50 cash donations:
Quinn Loftus, Illyana & Sebastian Leon, Ava Anderson, Addison West, Nacana Jones, Raphael Lake, Jia Campbell, Delilah Merica, Harper Nelson, Saige Nelson, Sophie Stock, Azelya Palomares, Kensley Coon, Ava Toone, Lydia Moore, Lydia Christiansen, Olivia Clayton, Camille Coleman, Gracyn Shipley, Ellie Argyle, Sonya Lee
2023 “Dance for Life” Books & Pajama Project.
These dancers collected 10 pajamas, 20 books, or $50 cash donations:
Nacana Jones, Elora Munns, J’lynne Munns, Klara Smith, Ruby Fox, Finley Baird, Harper Nelson, Kensley Coon, Gracyn Shipley, Addison West, Megan Nelson, Makayla Nelson, Camille Coleman
2022 “Dance for Life” Books & Pajama Project.
These dancers collected 10 pajamas, 20 books, or $50 cash donations: Maybel Rogerson, Koriann Thurston, Harper Nelson, Avenlee Goodwin, Isaac Toone, Nacana Jones, Kensley Coon, Gracyn Shipley, Finley Baird, Sophee Miller, Aria Jones, Abigail Zedaker, Camille Coleman, Megan & Makayla Nelson, Emma Nelson
2021 “Dance for Life” Books & Pajama Project. We collected and donated 1492 pairs of pajamas and 1165 books to the local Utah Foster Care chapters. These dancers collected 10 pajamas, 20 books, or $50 cash donations:
Illyana Leon, Dakotah Perez, Harper Nelson, Olivia Outsen, Aria Jones, Maybel Rogerson, Peyton Yee, Andie Polster, Finley Baird, Abigal Zedaker, Luciana Foster, Antonella Foster, Rafaela Foster, Leah Calder, Cocoa Miller, Roux Miller, Ava Toone, Isaac Toone, Hailey Rosky, Evelyn Petersen, Danielle Newson, Remi Cline, Wyatt Goodman, Kensley Coon, Gracyn Shipley, Camille Coleman, Mabel MacKay, Lily Winegar, Makayla Nelson, & Megan Nelson
2020 “Dance for Life” Books & Pajama Project. We collected and donated 1701 pairs of pajamas and 1479 books to the local Utah Foster Care chapters. These dancers collected 10 pajamas, 20 books, or $50 cash donations:
Finley Baird, Addison Simkins, Olivia Perry, Mia Bright, Ava Rose, Makayla Nelson, Megan Nelson, Camille Coleman, Allie Parker, Raegan Parker, Esmeline Welch Jaro, Andie Polster, Cora Littig, Gracyn Shipley, Cora Uresk, Lucy Youngberg, Camille Youngberg, Ellie Limb, Atticus Dehesa, Kensley Coon, Ava & Isaac Toone
2019 “Dance for Life” Books & Pajama Project. We collected and donated 1523 pairs of pajamas, 1631 books, and $8000 to the local Utah Foster Care chapters. These dancers collected 10 pajamas, 20 books, or $60 cash donations:
Finley Baird, Mia Bright, Brooklyn Chadwick, Camille Coleman, Abigail Dietrick, Nicole Dietrick, Penelope Fox, Ruby Fox, Teegan Gallegos, Sophee Miller, J’Lynne Munns, Makayla Nelson, Megan Nelson, Danielle Newson, Andie Polster, Mya Schulte, Gracyn Shipley, Addison Simkins, Noah Sorensen, Kirsten Taylor, Ava Toone, Isaac Toone, Gracie Trease, Jules Tullis, Charlotte Walton, Addison West, Madison Woodbury, Peyton Yee, Lucy Youngberg
2019 “Hearts for Hunger” Food Donation Project. We collected and donated over 1000 pounds of food to the Bountiful Food Pantry! These dancers collected 20 packs of food or $50 in cash donations:
Ava Toone, Andie Polster, Addison West, Melodyann Swanson, Mia Bright, Sophee Miller, Jules Tullis, Kallie Permann, Mckenna Sealy, Brooklyn Bagley, Brooklyn Searle, Dancyne Searle, McKayla Searle, Nevaeh Trujillo, Libby Salisbury, Gianna LaVanway, Makayla Nelson, McKayla Mikkelsen, Taylee Erickson, Camille Coleman, LIbbi Boulden, Finley Baird, Teegan Gallegos, Gracyn Shipley, Maddie Allen, Savanna Allen, Abigail Dietrick, Brielle Pagel
2018 “Hearts for Hunger” Food Donation Project. These dancers collected 20 packs of food or $50 in cash donations:
Addison West, Allie Parker, Andie Polster, Ava Toone, Bella Erickson, Brooklyn Bagley, Finley Baird, Kallie Permann, Klara Smith, Kylie Broderick, Lacey Rigby, Lexey Rigby, Lexi Cartwright, Libbi Boulden, Madison Allen, Megan Grant, Mia Bright, Olivia Hale, Raegan Parker, Savanna Allen, Sophee Miller, Sydney Bagley, Teegan Gallegos, Zach Moffat, Zoey Calloway, Penelope Fox, Ruby Fox, Addison Simkins, Mckenna Sealy
2018 “Dance for Life” Pajama Project. We collected 1499 pajamas and 1496 books and $5000! These dancers collected at least ten pajamas, 20 books, or $50 in cash donations:
Arianna Roman, Addie West, Danielle Coleman, Talia Bright, Raegan & Allie Parker, Gracyn Shipley, Finley Baird, Andie Polster, Taylee & Camrey Erickson, Ava Toone, Ruby Fox, Makayla Nelson, Danielle Newson, Penelope Fox, McKinley Evans, McCoy Evans, Bella Erickson
2017 "Dance For Life" Pajama Project: We collected 943 pajamas and 1025 books and $7000! These dancers collected at least ten pajamas, 20 books, or $50 in cash donations:
Maddison Allen, Savanna Allen, Finley Baird, Mckenna Sealy, Andie Polster, Arianna Roman, Mia Bright, Addison Simkins, Allie Parker, Raegan Parker, Phoenix Thibodeaux
2017 “Hearts for Hunger” Project: These dancers collected 20 packs of food or $50 in cash donations:
Ava Toone, Phoenix Thibodeaux, Nevaeh Trujillo, Mia Bright, Arianna Roman, Addison West, Alexa Texeira, Dancyne Searle, Addison Simkins, Brooklyn Searle, Jules Tullis, Jayne Walker, Ruby Fox, Penelope Fox, & Klara Smith
2016 “Dance For Life” Pajama Project:
We collected 1094 pajamas, 459 books, and $6000! Thanks to all your donations! These dancers collected at least ten pajamas, 20 books, or $50 in cash donations:
Addison Simkins, Khione Horne, Emma Stone, Andie Polster, Ava Toone, Penelope Fox, Ruby Fox, Briella Ellis, McKayla Mikkelsen, Allie Parker, Ashlyn Smith, Mia Bright, Abigail Dietrick, Zoey Calloway, Bryton Scott
2016 “Hearts for Hunger” Project: We collected 293 pounds of food for the Bountiful Food Pantry! Thanks to all your donations! These dancers brought at least ten cans to the benefit concert:
Alli Lin, Megan Lin, Nevaeh Trujillo, Libbi Boulden, Savanna Allen, Wren Jeppesen, Mia Bright, Raegan Parker, Allie Parker, Gracee Ellis, Brooklyn Bagley, Sydney Bagley, Abby Coulam, Emily Coulam, Penelope Fox, Ruby Fox