Fisher Students Get Ready to Dance for Love

This weekend, St. John Fisher University students are ready to take the floor for the 43rd Annual Teddi Dance for Love, to be held from 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7 through 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.

The 24-hour dance marathon has raised more than $2 million for Camp Good Days and Special Times since the event began in 1982; proceeds from the event support the Teddi Project, which sends a group of children on a week-long trip to amusement parks in Orlando, Florida. This year, the committee hopes to raise $100,000 for Camp.

The spirit of the Teddi Dance was on full display at the annual Beary Brunch, which officially kicks off the event. Monroe County Executive Adam Bello read a joint proclamation declaring it “Teddi Dance for Love Week” in Monroe County and the City of Rochester. Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the University, also offered remarks.

“To the many members of the committee and especially to those who are here this morning, thank you for the good work that you do every year for Camp and for the special care you give each year to this University tradition,” Rooney said. “It is a Fisher experience that you will share with literally thousands of alumni who have participated before you, as well as the generations who will follow you. I am grateful for your dedication and proud of what you will accomplish at this year’s dance.”

Teddi Committee Chair Grayce Trimboli ’25 and Vice Chair Victoria Howard ’26 shared a preview of the dance, which will feature themed hours such as Jazzercize and Zumba, and performances from Fisher student groups including the cheerleading squad, Fisher Dance, and more.

This year’s honorary chair, Rochester radio personality Dino Kay, will cheer the dancers on throughout the event. Kay, a longtime advocate for Camp Good Days, served as a guest deejay for the Teddi Dance back in the late 80s and has spent summers “spinning tunes” at Camp for the campers. A cancer survivor himself, he understands the impact of an organization like Camp Good Days.

“If you’ve been to Camp, you know why you’re here and why you’re committed to this,” he said. “We are fortunate to have a place like Camp that does so much good.”

This year, the Dance will be dedicated to Ethan Rivard, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 20. Rivard battled cancer throughout his young life, and was introduced to camp when he was just four years old. Over the course of nearly two decades, he bravely faced cancer treatments, while finding support and fellowship through Camp Good Days. Involvement with Camp meant he experienced a host of memory-making trips, including Disney on Ice, a trip to Disney World, as well as museums, amusement parks, games, seasonal trips, and more.

Hundreds of committee members and dancers, including students, alumni, faculty, and staff, will tap their toes and clap their hands in honor of Rivard, and all the children and families served by Camp.

During the dance, students will also participate in a before and after reveal of the hair they will donate to Children With Hair Loss, a nonprofit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss.

Follow @TeddiDance4Love on Instagram for updates through the dance-a-thon. To donate to the dance, visit the Committee’s Give Lively page.