Hundreds of dancers work to raise money for Shriner's Hospital


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SALT LAKE CITY — Three dance studios from Davis County, Orem and Salt Lake City, whose dancers normally compete against one another, came together with a common purpose Saturday.

"Our show is titled Art with Heart: Kids Who Dance So Others Can Walk," said Kandee Allen, the event's co-founder. "It was just something the directors of our three studios came up with; and it started 12 years ago, and it's been a really positive experience for everyone involved over the years.

Four hundred dancers, between the ages of 4 and 18, gathered at Salt Lake Community College's Grand Theater Saturday afternoon to perform and raise money for kids at Shriner's Hospital.


You love what you're doing, and you love what you're doing it for.

–Sophia, dancer


"There's no competition, and you're just doing it because you love to dance," said Sophia, a 15-year-old dancer. "You love what you're doing, and you love what you're doing it for."

"Afterwards, when you're done, you're just sort of like, ‘That was awesome! I feel so great!' It helps your self-esteem," said Masy, a 12-year-old dancer.

The fact that the fundraiser has been going strong for more than a decade might be considered incredible. But what's really incredible are the children who benefit from it.

Eliza Haddock, 6, suffered from a stroke and lost all movement in the right side of her body. Her dad, Jared, said she's made tremendous progress thanks to the therapists at Shriner's Hospital and fundraisers like Art with Heart. (Photo: KSL TV)
Eliza Haddock, 6, suffered from a stroke and lost all movement in the right side of her body. Her dad, Jared, said she's made tremendous progress thanks to the therapists at Shriner's Hospital and fundraisers like Art with Heart. (Photo: KSL TV)

Eliza Haddock, 6, suffered from a stroke and lost all movement in the right side of her body. Her dad, Jared Haddock, said she's made tremendous progress thanks to the therapists at Shriner's Hospital and fundraisers like Art with Heart.

"She had to relearn how to talk, move, dance, walk, (do) everything again," he said. "The costs get quite astronomical, and so that assistance really helps families like ours."

As for Eliza, dance is one thing that keeps her going.

"Dance, to her, is very important; it's part of her being," Haddock said. "You put any kind of music on, and she feels the music."

It's a talent she shares with hundreds of other girls and boys who are giving back through their common love of dance.

The three dance studios involved in Art with Heart — Dance Impressions, The Dance Club and The Winner School — raised 35,000 last year, and a total topping $350,000 for Shriner's Hospital in the 12 years they've been doing this.

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