On Monday, January 31, and Tuesday, February 1, the Byron-Bergen boys and girls varsity basketball teams joined forces to raise money for St. John Fisher College’s annual Teddi Dance for Love to benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times. The Dance for Love is the largest activity on the St. John Fisher (SJF) campus. Byron-Bergen’s Superintendent Pat McGee, varsity boys basketball coach Roxanne Noeth, and varsity girls basketball coach Nick Muhlenkamp all attended and played basketball for SJF. As such, the varsity basketball teams were enthusiastic about supporting this fundraiser.
During the varsity games on those nights, the players collected donations at the doors and from the crowd. Coach Noeth also pledged to make an additional $20 donation if one of her players could make a half-court shot at halftime. Aiden Clark made the shot, raising an extra $20 for a good cause.
“The players really had fun with this,” said Noeth. “They challenged each other to help raise more money and, in the end, we are donating $681 to the Dance for Love. I’m very proud of their efforts.”
Elizabeth “Teddi” Mervis was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1979. Her father wanted to do something to ease some of the pain in Teddi’s life and to bring some of her childhood back.
Within a year of Teddi’s diagnosis, Camp Good Days and Special Times was founded. There, children with cancer could come and be kids again. Teddi enjoyed the happiness of Camp Good Days until her death in February of 1982. Since then, Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc. has grown internationally.
Dr. Lou Buttino, a former professor at SJF and close friend of Teddi’s father, thought that his students might be able to help. After talking with a small group of students, a 24-hour dance marathon was suggested. The Dance for Love began in 1982 with only a few dozen dancers. That year they raised approximately $7,500. Since then, the dance has multiplied in size, with over 400 dancers and volunteers raising an average of $50,000 each year.
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