The University of Central Florida College of Nursing was one of four regional nursing programs to participate in the sixth annual “Let Us Entertain You” dance challenge fundraiser held by Femmes de Coeur on Sunday, June 2 at the Ballroom at Church Street.
The event featured local celebrities and faculty members paired with professional dancers for a ballroom dance challenge. Funds were raised through ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and the “Vote with Your Dollars” program, in which event attendees used money to vote for their favorite dance team.
Femmes de Coeur, or Women of Heart, is a nonprofit fundraising organization whose goal is to raise funds by partnering with existing organizations to help research and treat disease. The annual fundraiser was introduced six years ago by Femmes de Coeur President Judy Conrad.
“I decided to start the ‘Let Us Entertain You’ dance challenge fundraiser because it was a perfect way to integrate my desire to help the nursing community with my interest in ballroom dancing,” said Conrad. “I’m really glad it’s been so successful.”
Participants this year included talk show host Jada Collins, salon owner Dale Dees, chiropractic physician Dr. Richard Bocco, to name a few. One faculty member from each nursing program also participated in the dance challenge, including UCF’s Dr. Susan Chase, who is the associate dean of graduate affairs in the College of Nursing.
Although she and her partner, dance professional Tony Sterling, did not win the dance challenge, Chase feels it was worth her time and effort.
“It was a fun way to raise money for a very worthy cause,” said Chase. “I didn’t do it to win. I did it to support our students.”
Other participating nursing programs included those at Valencia College, Seminole State College, and Adventist University of Health Sciences.
The proceeds from the event will be divided among the four nursing programs and disbursed in the fall. At UCF, the funds support the Femmes de Coeur Endowed Nursing Scholarship.