Kick for a Cause Raises $10,000 for Sandy Relief

The Kick Dance Studios of Rumson and Fair Haven hosted “Kick for a Cause” to two sold out performances on Sunday, March 10 at the Two River Theater, Red Bank.

A $10,000 check from the event's ticket sales was donated to the Monmouth Beach Elementary School PTO to purchase books, supplies and school equipment damaged in Superstorm Sandy.

More than 150 boys and girls, ages 5-17, from the Kick Dance Studios showcased their talented moves during a variety of ballet, tap, hip hop, contemporary and Broadway-style dance performances.

The show-stopping action was followed by a special showing of big screen cartoons created by the young producers of the Emmy-winning Small Factory Productions Studio of Fair Haven. Throughout the day, Monmouth Beach Elementary School students sold concessions to raise additional funds for the school restoration.

“I was saddened to hear that Monmouth Beach Elementary School, where I fondly remember attending school as a child had more than three feet of water in its classrooms,” said Vanessa Berry, Owner, Kick Dance Studios, Fair Haven and Rumson. “Sandy's flood waters devastated the building, books, supplies and, more importantly, the hearts of its children. My family and Kick's students wanted to help the school with a fundraiser that raised funds for essential school supplies, but also lifted its families and faculty's spirits with music and dance."

Approximately 310 children from Monmouth Beach Elementary School remain displaced by Superstorm Sandy and currently attend classes at the following host schools: Wolfe Hill School in Oceanport (PreK- Kindergarten), Betty McElmon School in West Long Branch (Grades 1-3), Frank Antonides School in West Long Branch (Grade 4), and Shore Regional High School in Long Branch (Grades 5-8).