By:Brian Zanzonico
After the recent Southeast Asia tsunami disaster killed 220,000 people, Panetta's niece, Nancy Mastrotataro, suggested a similar course of action. On Sunday, Jan. 30, about 50 dancers from Miss Laura's Bodies in Motion and Girl Scout Troop 1479 kicked up their heels for the cause.
"We thought it would give us an opportunity to do something we love and help people at the same time," said Panetta, a mother of two with a third on the way.
The youngsters moved to pop hits from the 70s, 80s and today as 20 enthusiastic staff members had them jumping and jiving for over an hour. After working up a sweat, the dancers were treated to a pizza party.
"She was upset by the tsunami, wanted to help, and thought this would be a 'cool way' to do it," said Tess Meggett of West Hempstead of her eight-year-old daughter, Erin.
Party Director Karen McQueen, who was going straight from the event to a dinner to welcome home her boyfriend who just returned from Iraq, said she was happy to be a part of such a worthy cause.
"We're like a family. We band together to help people like family," she said.
Panetta, who holds degrees in elementary education, psychology and dance, established the dance studio in 1988. She started in a small studio on Dogwood Avenue in Franklin Square, then moved to Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square before opening up shop at 363 Hempstead Avenue, the current location, seven years ago. Ten years ago, Panetta held a fundraiser for a local girl in need of a heart transplant. She helped raise $8,000 and the girl received a heart.
"I'm just trying to help other people through a difficult time," she said. "People in this world should help each other."
Panetta chose to donate all proceeds to the American Red Cross International Reponse Team.
"A lot of people feel compassion but don't know what to do," Mastrotataro said. "This gives an opportunity for people to reach out."
As of press time, about $3,000 had been collected for tsunami survivors. Though the event is over, Panetta hopes the giving will continue. For anyone interested in donating, Panetta will accept contributions through Feb. 7. Checks should be made out to American Red Cross Tsunami Emergency Response. For more information call (516) 481-1018.
Comments about this story? Mal-wheditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000, ext. 240.
