COMMUNITY

Dancing for the Cause to benefit COPE

Nicole Maxwell
Alamogordo Daily News

The Center of Protective Environment, or COPE, is holding its first Dancing for the Cause event in Alamogordo from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Sgt. Willie Estrada Civic Center.

The event has been held in Lincoln County before but never in Otero County, Kay Gomolak of COPE said.

“Every year we do it, people like it. We fill up more and more. It’s just so fun,” Gomolak said.

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All the proceeds go to COPE and its services to domestic violence victims and their children. COPE covers Otero County and Lincoln County; however, this event will help Otero County specifically. The third annual Dancing for the Cause in Lincoln County will be this May, Gomolak said.

COPE Executive Director Kay Gomolak passes out bracelets honoring domestic violence survivors at their vigil last year. COPE is hosting a Dancing for the Causer event Feb. 16.

Dancing for the Cause is an event inspired by "Dancing with the Stars" where eight couples compete for a trophy and tips from the audience.

“Every couple will do a dance routine and when they’re done, we have young people who are going to be running around with tip jars and they will collect tips for the dancers and the couple with the most tips at the end of the evening will be the winner,” Gomolak said. “Any way you look at it, COPE will be the winner because they’re all doing this to support the work we do with victims of domestic violence.”

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The participating couples are Sheriff David Black and Lorrie Black; Jamee Boyer and Theresa Cafaro-Stauffer; Johanna Brooks and Jeff Albers; Collin and Connie Broughton; COPE Board President Linda Carr and Brad Douglas; Fabiani Duarte and Hillary Marshall; Chief of Alamagordo Police Brian Peete and Natalie Peete; and Rudy and Jane Wood.

There will be local entertainment by Loren Jackson; Donnie Burt, featured vocalist; Academy of Ballet — Janelle Hernandez and Company; Red Chili Line Dancers and Aiden Dejong: Michael Jackson Interpretation.

Major sponsors for the event include Joe C. Widener, Southern New Mexico Surgery Center, Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, Alamogordo Funeral Home, Albertsons, French Brothers Homes, Twice Blest Thrift Store, Boss Accounting & Tax, Gallien Therapy Services, Holloman Officers’ Spouses’ Charitable Organization, New Mexico Mutual Insurance, Legacy Financial Partners and Teresa Ham.

Tickets are $30 for dinner and dance and $12 for dance attendance only.

Tickets can be purchased at the COPE office at 909 South Florida Avenue in Alamogordo.

For more information call 575-434-3622.

Nicole Maxwell can be reached at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com or  by phone at 575-415-6605. Follow her on Facebook at Nicole Juliana Maxwell or on Twitter @nicmaxreporter.