Teddi Raises More than $100K for Camp

This weekend, hundreds of St. John Fisher University students took to the dance floor for the 43rd Teddi Dance for Love, all in support of Camp Good Days and Special Times.

Their efforts over the past year to plan the 24-hour dance marathon paid off in a big way as children from Camp revealed the final amount raised, totaling $100,255 and beating the committee’s goal. Since its inception in 1982, the dance has raised more than $2 million and supports the Teddi Project, which sends a group of children on a week-long trip to amusement parks in Orlando, Florida.

“One of the best moments of the year is when I hear the dancers chant ‘Teddi.’ Thank you for keeping her memory alive,” said Gary Mervis, founder of Camp Good Days and father of Teddi Mervis, the inspiration behind Camp, as he addressed the dancers. “Remember how good it feels to give of yourselves to others, and know that you can replicate that feeling at any point in your lives.”

This year, the Dance was 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.

Grayce Trimboli ’25 served as Teddi 43’s chair, working with Victoria Howard ’26, vice chair, to lead the committee in the months of planning.

“Thank you for all of the love and support throughout the process of planning Teddi 43,” Trimboli said as she offered closing remarks at the conclusion of the dance. “I am honored to have served as chair and will be forever grateful for this experience.”