A Teddi Unlike Any Other

In every way, the 2021 Teddi Dance for Love was one of firsts.

Held Friday, Feb. 19 through Saturday, Feb. 20, Teddi 39 was the first-ever virtual dance marathon, and the first time dancers raised a record-breaking $123,641.93 for Camp Good Days and Special Times. Proceeds from the fundraiser support the Teddi Project, which sends children on a weeklong trip to Florida.

The annual event saw big changes due to COVID-19 safety guidelines. While the small group of committee captains were able to dance together in-person, the majority of dancers tuned in to a Zoom live stream from the event’s headquarters in Cleary Family Auditorium, the place where Teddi began 39 years ago.

As the 24-hour dance marathon came to a close, the excitement was no less palpable, sense of accomplishment no less present.

Emily Trotman ’21, chair of the dance, said that the dedication of the captains, committee members, and dancers made meeting their fundraising goal possible.

“Even though we weren’t all together, we wouldn’t have this number if it wasn’t for our committee,” she said. “The dedication our captains showed and the spirit of our committee members on Zoom kept us going throughout the dance.”

News10NBC anchor Deanna Dewberry, who served as this year’s Honorary Chair, congratulated the dancers on their amazing feat in an unprecedented year.

“I can’t begin to tell you what an honor it has been to be your honorary chair; I didn’t have to be in the room to feel the love from the St. John Fisher College community,” she said. “You didn’t just dance for a fun event – you danced for so many children and families touched by cancer. You danced for love; you danced for hope; you danced in the memory of Teddi. You danced for all of us and I am so proud of you.”