They’re All Crazy Here…But Most of the Best People Are!

This Saturday, June 27, from 6 to 10 pm, the Hike Kidz Foundation and Jean’s Jewelers will co-host the Second Annual Dueling Disco Event at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club.

When I was asked to help, I immediately said yes. (This may have been a mistake!!)

In hindsight, joining an event already being run by people who successfully pulled it off last year felt a bit like walking into NASA on launch day and announcing, “Good news, everybody. I’m here to help!” while having absolutely no idea which button launches the rocket.

So far, I’m still not entirely sure what my official job is. At this point, I believe my responsibilities include carrying random objects, answering questions I don’t know the answers to, smiling confidently, and occasionally looking busy enough that nobody asks me to do anything too difficult.

What has surprised me most is the sheer number of people and businesses involved.

There are volunteers, donors, committees, subcommittees, planners, organizers, business owners, and at least one person who hasn’t slept since Memorial Day. I’m also fairly certain there’s a secret group meeting somewhere made up entirely of women carrying clipboards who are actually running the world.

The Dueling Disco Fundraiser has more moving parts than a disco ball in an earthquake. Just when I think I’ve figured out how everything works, someone says, “Don’t forget about the silent auction, the volunteers, the sponsors, the decorations, the registrations, the giveaways, the cars, the music, the logistics,” and the thing nobody remembers until five minutes before it starts.

And while there will be plenty of fun, dancing, laughter, and questionable dance moves from people who should know better, this fundraiser is doing something incredible.

We hear a lot about community and working together, but this event is what that actually looks like. Local businesses and volunteers have come together to create something pretty amazing.

‘Dueling Disco’ helps provide clothing and other essentials to local children, and this year, through a partnership with ‘Cars Changing Lives,’ TWO vehicles will be given to families who truly need a helping hand. That’s the part worth remembering.

While many of us are deciding which disco outfit best hides our bad decisions from the 1970s, families in our community are trying to figure out how to get to work, get their kids where they need to go, and make ends meet. It’s easy to forget how many people are quietly struggling. For families living paycheck to paycheck, a little support can make an enormous difference.

So yes, come for the music. Come for the dancing. Come to watch grown adults confidently attempt dance moves that require medical clearance. Come to see people who haven’t worn sequins since the Carter administration suddenly decide, “Tonight is the night.”

Mostly, come to support a great cause!

And if you see me there looking confused, carrying a clipboard, walking very quickly in a random direction, and pretending I know exactly what’s happening…Please don’t ruin the illusion. I’m trying my best.

The only remaining question is this:

Who will be crowned Disco Royalty…

Sue Laurence
Front Royal, VA

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