Oakland Beach Zumba Party for Great Cause

A passion for helping and having a good time will be all you need to support the international non-profit organization Achilles International this Friday, September 7 at .

"The idea for the Zumba event came from one of the other members of the Race for Rehab Committee at New York Medical College," said Meghan Moritz, a physical therapy doctoral student in Valhalla and member of the Race for Rehab committee. "She and a few of the other team members -and physical therapy students- are Zumba fanatics and wanted to find an event for us to support that would be fun and get people moving!!" 

What they came up with is a .

Moritz promises the best instructors in Westchester County will be there to lead the fun. The event will include free food and raffle prizes, including a Zumba Dance party with 10 of your friends. All proceeds benefit the non-profit organization Achilles International Kids Program.

Another reason for the first ever dance fest is raising awareness for the grad students' major event- a 5k/10k Race for Rehab, with all proceeds to benefitting the international non-profit organization, Achilles International. This year will be the 14th annual race on the Valhalla campus of New York Medical College this October 14th, 2012.

"This race is unique because it is specifically geared towards athletes with disabilities from the organization Achilles International," said Moritz. "People of all abilities (disabled or not) are invited to run or walk the race with us!"

Achilles International is an international non-profit organization that encourages people with disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics. 

In order to help increase awareness about Achilles International and help raise donations for our cause, we organize and support other events such as this upcoming Zumba event. 

"With the Zumba event we hope to increase awareness about Achilles International and the Achilles Kids Program, as well as hoping to gain interest in participating in our Race for Rehab on campus," said Moritz. 

Tickets for the Zumba Dance Party are $20 in advance,  $25 at the door. Register in advance, by email to Laurey Lou at laurey.bc@gmail.com.