By Colleen Moir
Managing Editor
The Reynolds High School Dancing Boots were eager to help kick homelessness to the curb with their performance in the third annual Take the Lead dance competition. The fundraiser for the Bethesda Center for the Homeless occurred April 12 to raise money to combat homelessness in Winston-Salem.
Take the Lead is the year’s biggest fundraiser for the Bethesda Center. The night’s events in the Benton Convention Center have been compared to the popular television show “Dancing with the Stars” because several members of the community are paired as teams. The goal of each team is to raise the most money for the Bethesda Center.
Money was raised in two ways: paid voting before the event for each team on the event’s website and the purchase of tickets to attend the event itself.
Most teams performed ballroom dance – with the exception of the Boots.
“It’s the third year, and they wanted to keep it fresh,” explained Lisa Carter, parent of Boots member Grace Carter, who helped coordinate the Boots’ involvement in Take the Lead.
“They (were) not doing ballroom dance,” Boots coach Caitlin Reece said. “It (was) different. It (was) a pop mix-type dance, like what the girls usually perform at games.”
The Boots exceeded their goal and raised $5,080 for the Bethesda Center. Overall, the special event raised $110,000.
“Not only did they do their part incredibly well, but they were part of a greater act,” Take the Lead coordinator Clyde Manning said. “The Boots deserve congratulations for all their hard work.”
The Boots had worked with the Bethesda Center in the past and formed a strong connection with the charity.
“Volunteering at the Bethesda Center was one of the highlights of the year for the girls last year,” Carter said. “The girls loved it and Bethesda fell in love with the Boots as well.”
Manning confirmed that sentiment. She said that when the Boots first volunteered with the Bethesda Center, she was “struck by their eagerness to serve.” The Boots immediately came to mind when planning began for this year’s special dancing event.
“The question was obvious: ‘Who has a bigger heart for the homeless than those terrific girls from R. J. Reynolds High School?’ ” Manning said. “I tossed it out to the committee, and everyone loved the idea.”
The Boots loved the idea as well.
“I think that it’s a great opportunity for the Boots to get involved with the community and help a greatly deserving cause,” Boots member Katelyn King said. “There is nothing better than doing something that I love to do while helping people in our community at the same time.”
Manning said that while Take the Lead is about dancing in a competition, its primary focus is in raising funds for the Bethesda Center.
“I never worried about this aspect of the project, because I knew that once the Boots understood why we were raising money, they’d be committed and unstoppable,” Manning said of the Reynolds group’s involvement. The Boots also appreciate being able to spread the word about such a pressing need in their community.
“I think it’s a really good idea because the homeless people need our help,” Boots member Anita Patel said. “A lot of people believe that they got themselves in that state, so they need to get themselves out. Take the Lead helps to change that way of thinking. I (was) really excited about performing.”