Community members throughout the region will be coming together in the Community School gym with the goal of dancing to help one fourth grade student and her family.

Last year, Brianna Pereira, a fourth grade student at Community School, was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, a rare brain tumor. For months now she has been undergoing treatment in hopes of preventing cancerous cells from spreading to her spine. In order to help the Pereira family, the Algonquin/Community PTO has been working to put together a Zumbathon.

This event is not the only way that the community has been showing their support. In December, Community School Psychologist, Laura Naylor along with Britany Sweet, a school intern organized a Read-A-Thon for Brianna. Students from kindergarten to fifth grade throughout Region 16 found people to sponsor their reading.  The event took place the week of December 9th and students were encouraged to read throughout the entire week.

When the week ended a ceremony was held in the Community School gym where students learned that they had raised a total of $22,533.44. Ninety-five percent of these funds went to the Pereira family and five percent went to Boston Children’s Hospital, where Pereira is being treated. This donation was greatly appreciated by the Pereira family, but the Algonquin/Community PTO still wanted to do more so they decided that a Zumbathon would be a great way to raise money.

The Zumbathon will be taking place on Friday, January 17th and both adults ($20) and children (14 and under $10) are encouraged to attend.From 6pm-7pm there will be a kids session, which will be followed by the adult portion at 7:15pm. Kids are also allowed to attend the adult portion as long as they have permission from their parents.

Everyone who attends either session is also being asked to wear pink, as that is Brianna’s favorite color. One-hundred percent of the proceeds received from this event will go to the Pereira family.

For more information about this event you can visit http://www.livelovedancefitness.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/656777434386090/?ref=22.