As spring fills the air, we are in full preparation for our annual Benefit Concert here at Nebraska Dance! For over 20 years, we have selected a local non-profit to support. Through our Benefit Concert, we are able to learn about the great work they are doing in our community and create an opportunity to donate towards their cause. This year, we have selected JDRF of Nebraska and Iowa as our 2024 beneficiary!
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, also known as “JDRF”, is the leading global funder of type 1 diabetes research. JDRF benefits over 2 million type 1 diabetics in the US as well as their extended families and caretakers. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, JDRF relies on donations and volunteer support from individuals and businesses to continue to drive medical breakthroughs from start to finish. The Nebraska-Iowa chapter of JDRF is honored to be selected as the sponsored organization for the Nebraska Dance 2024 benefit performance. The funds raised through the generous support of the Nebraska Dance community will be used locally to provide critical training resources for newly diagnosed type 1 diabetics and will also be applied towards national and international JDRF research and development efforts to find a cure and to fund new technologies to better help people manage type 1 diabetes. Learn more about JDRF of Nebraska and Iowa through this video:
Nebraska Dance is excited to partner with JDRF to support their important work in our community. How can you get involved?
We hope you will join us as we support this amazing cause on Saturday, May 4th at Concordia High School! Our program dancers will be performing from 10:00am-4:30pm in the auditorium. The ‘Carnival for a Cause’ will also include food, cotton candy, popcorn, a cake walk and other carnival events, face painting and more!
No tickets are sold for this event. Free will donations are accepted, and we thank you in advance for your generous support. If you or your dancer are wanting to explore more about our ND performance and competitive programs, this is a great day to come check them out while also supporting a great cause!
Carnival Fun & Food!
This day is going to be action packed with more than just dancing! Enjoy fun times with your family taking part in a cakewalk, ring toss, guessing games, face painting and other carnival fun! Enjoy the carnival vibe as you munch on some popcorn, cotton candy, or maybe even a snow cone!
Sandwiches, chips, veggies, pop, water, will be available for your family to enjoy. As with the whole day, there will be donation boxes if you feel led to give to the cause. **Popcorn, Cotton Candy, and Snow cones will be available for purchase with proceeds going to JDRF.
Other Ways to Get Involved and Support the Nebraska Dance Benefit Concert
Beginning MONDAY 22nd, we will have PENNY WAR JUGS available at all 3 locations (Central, West, and Lighthouse) and will end on THURSDAY MAY 2nd at 10pm. All dancers are encouraged to participate!
What is a PENNY WAR you ask???
The dancers will be divided up into TWO TEAMS:
- Even Grades – Kindergarten, 2nd, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
- Odd Grades – Pre-K, 1st, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
You want to put as many PENNIES in YOUR TEAMS jugs and you want to put nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, etc in the OTHER TEAMS jug. Every penny in your jug ADDS a point to your team! Everything that is NOT a penny SUBTRACTS points from your team! So in a nutshell, you want to put as MANY PENNIES into YOUR JUG as you can, and as many nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars into your OPPONENTS JUG to reduce their points.
At the end of the two weeks, we will collect all that has been contributed…we will find out WHICH team (Team Odd or Team Even) has WON THE PENNY WARS! We will make the announcement at the very end of the show and the WINNER will receive a special surprise, just in time for summer fun! All the funds donated in the penny wars will go towards JDRF, so clean out your junk drawers and find that spare change to participate in the PENNY WARS and help your team to VICTORY!
Benefit Concert Donations
Online donation link is now active and accepting donations. We will also be accepting cash and check donations on the day of the show.
We look forward to a “Carnival for a Cure” raising awareness and funds for JDRF! Invite your family and friends to stop by and watch dancers they love, while supporting a great cause!
