Community members joined South Williamsport Jr./Sr. High School students and YMCA instructors Sunday for a two-hour Zumbathon, raising more than $1,000 for Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity. The initiative, led by students in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, raised funds for Habitat's Women Build program.
The Zumbathon was led by an FCCLA committee including 10th grade student Louanna Bragalone, senior Rose Bragalone and senior Missy Winder. The club asked for a $10 donation to Habitat as admission to the event and $1,082 was raised.
"Last October, we visited Habitat for Humanity and we got to see a lot of what they do for the community," Rose Bragalone said.
The group held in-school fundraisers for the organization, including a hat day and a dress-down day for teachers. Winder said the girls decided to focus on Zumba for their major fundraising event because of its popularity.
Zumba is a high-energy, Latin-inspired dance workout typically performed in groups and classes led by an instructor. Five local instructors volunteered to lead the Zumbathon.
"You can be a beginner or advanced," Louanna Bragalone said.
"It just repeats itself until you catch on," Winder added.
The students were encouraged by guidance secretary Frannie Kropp, a Habitat volunteer and Zumba enthusiast.
"She's very involved in volunteering with Habitat. She was very instrumental in connecting our organization with Habitat for Humanity," said Patty Schick, FCCLA adviser.
Susan Weber, operations director for the local Habitat, said community support is crucial for the agency's projects, as the cost to build a house is around $100,000.
"Frannie Kropp is extremely involved with our Women Build program at Habitat, and the money will go toward the next project that they will do. It's very encouraging to see young groups of individuals really putting themselves out there to learn about the organization," Weber said.
The Women Build program brings together local women to perform building projects. They have built two homes so far.
"They raise funds for the build and they actually do the building at the job site," Weber said. "It's a very empowering opportunity for them ... Some of these women have developed skills that they could actually be supervisors on the job site."
To find out more about Women Build or Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity's other programs, call 322-2515 or visit the website www.lycominghabitat.org.
