Ankeny Dance Students "Kick In" Donations  For the second year in a row, students at Ankeny Dance Inc. stepped up to donate money, food, and household items to make for a Merrier Christmas for those in need in the Hope Ministries Adopt-A-Family program. Ankeny Dance staff and students contributed cash and necessary items to fill “Hope Boxes” that were distributed to area families through Hope Ministries on Christmas Day. “We believe it's just as important to develop our young peoples' character as well as their dance skills”, said studio owner Sarah Ferree. “And once again Ankeny Dance students and families are making a positive contribution to our community”. In a Christmas season where news outlets were constantly airing stories about the recession and poor economic outlook, Ankeny Dance families not only came together to meet the goal of filling 10 Hope Boxes, they donated enough for 22 complete Hope Boxes. In addition, there were 11 extra boxes filled with items for Hope Ministries to continue making more Hope Boxes plus another $322 in cash donations.  Ankeny Dance owners Mark and Sarah Ferree matched the funds again this year and gave Hope Ministries a check in the amount of $644. Sarah Ferree wished every Ankeny Dance Family could have been there with her when she delivered the boxes and the money to the Bethel Mission in downtown Des Moines. "That is the best part of the whole thing!" exclaimed Ferree. "I would have loved if each and every one of our families who donated for this extremely worthy cause could see the appreciative looks on the faces of everyone at Hope Ministries and hear their thanksgiving for the goodness of these gifts".   Hope Ministries director, David Burrier, remembered Ankeny Dance from last year's donations and as soon as he saw the boxes arriving he said "Oh!  You are the dance group!  I can't believe you guys do this for us!".  For the owners of Ankeny Dance, it is truly a blessing to be able to make for a brighter Christmas for needy families here in our community.  Some of the men from the Bethel Mission who volunteered to help carry in all the boxes on that extremely cold day didn't have coats or gloves while they worked in the bitter chill.  When Ferree presented the check for $644 dollars to Hope Ministries Director David Burrier, he shook his head and said several times, "Your families gave all of these items and they give money on top of it all?"  He truly couldn't believe it and said "God bless you" to everyone involved at Ankeny Dance. As Sarah Ferree said to everyone who helped make this year's event a success, "Thank you for being so generous, for being so supportive of our charity events and for helping your children learn such great life skills.  You all have made such a great difference in the lives of many local families who need it most and we can't thank you enough". Students put on “mini-performances” for their families during December to gather the donations for Hope Ministries. The price of admission for family and friends to attend the performances was to bring money or items on the Hope Ministries list to fill the Hope Boxes. Students were also permitted to break the class dress code for bringing a donation in as well. Ankeny Dance is located at 2210 W 1st. Street in Ankeny and if you'd like further information just call the studio at 515-964-5048, e-mail us at ankenydance@msn.com, or visit our website at www.ankenydance.com.
Ankeny Dance has added many new and exciting programs including fun summer camps for 3-8 year olds, hip hop workshops, ballet intensives and Sarah's always popular camps for advanced dancers.  Keep an eye open as well for Master Classes and special events offered throughout the year!