For Tammy Kostersky teaching her students the value of giving back to the communityis important. On March 25, 2023, Dance Innovations held their annual Dance-A-Thon and raised $7,000 for Creative Kids so more children in Yorkton are able to experience the benefits of dance.

Kostersky says, since 2012 she’s seen over 100 students funded by Creative Kids take dance lessons at her studio. “We just feel it’s so important for all children, to have the opportunity to feel the joy dance offers. Supporting Creative Kids, is a way of ensuring that there are funds available in our community for other children who may want to dance but don’t have the financial means to do so.”

She adds, “I also feel it is my responsibility as a mentor to youth in our community to guide them in knowing and connecting with the needs in our community. Knowing that through their efforts in the Dance-A-Thon, they were able to raise funds so that other children, maybe their dance friends, have an opportunity just like they do it’s very powerful.”

Since 1997 Kostersky held an annual performance event bringing community members together raising funds for local charities. By 2017, they began doing a yearly dance-a-thon. This past year, more than 30 dancers participated in the day-long event after collecting pledges.

After 28-years of teaching, Kostersky has witnessed the many skills and benefits that participation in dance develops in children. She is happy the Dance-A-Thon funds will help more children receive those benefits. “They gain physical fitness skills and a connection emotionally through movement. Dance outside of school also of fers students the opportunity to connect and feel a sense of belonging to a team sharing common interests. They develop confidence in themselves as individuals. ”

She adds that raising funds for Creative Kids has a positive impact, “I’m very proud and very excited because I know the joy that a child feels when they leave the dance studio. For more children to get to feel that simply because we held a fun activity that was focused on team and community, that’s the dream.”

Read more impact stories from the Progress Report