The Beaches Council on Aging is partnering with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Ponte Vedra Beach to host a fundraiser March 1 beginning at 7 p.m.
The event is $50 per person and will include group lessons followed by the opportunity to schedule one-on-one lessons with the owner Heiko Leyhausen. Champagne and snacks will be provided as part of the event.
It will be held at Arthur Murray Dance Studio, which is located in the Mickler’s Landing Shopping Center at 1108 Highway A1A, Suite 104 in Ponte Vedra Beach.
According to Beaches COA Executive Director Lori Anderson, the partnership between the COA and the dance studio first started about a year ago.
“He (Leyhausen) was very gracious to give us a silent auction item for one of our fundraisers, and he reached out wanting to do more,” Anderson said.
The money raised will benefit the Beaches COA and their dial-a-ride program, which currently has three vans running and the ability to have four running daily routes.
The program is designed to help provide transportation to senior citizens who no longer have the ability to drive get to the necessary places they need to go.
It provides transport to more than just doctor offices, but will help people get anywhere they need to be, whether that is to get their haircut or the grocery store.
“We want to be there to give people the assistance they need,” Anderson said. “The greatest thing about our assistance is that we are not only helping them get to where they need to be, but we are giving seniors the option to live in their homes longer.”
The bus routes patrol from Jacksonville Beach to Mayport and south into Ponte Vedra Beach, stopping around County Road 210.
According to Anderson, THE PLAYERS Senior Center in Ponte Vedra Beach is a very popular stop.
The dial-a-ride program is also available to be used by anybody more than 18 years old with a disability that prevents them from driving.
The ride is free for all those eligible with no qualifying application required. A $5 donation is asked for but not required to take the shuttle.
The only thing that the Beaches COA asks is that people call at least three days ahead of time to reserve a spot.
Anderson says that the Beaches COA takes pride in giving seniors the chance to maintain their independence and stay active despite not being able to drive.
“Senior isolation has always been a problem way before Covid, but it just exasperated it,” Anderson said.
The first pickup for the dial-a-ride program is made at 8 a.m. and the last drop-off is completed by 4 p.m.
In the past year, the dial-a-ride program extended its services to Saturday as well, although it is still on a more limited basis that during the week.
“It’s great because our drivers are so wonderful to the riders,” Anderson said. “When you’re driving someone three times a week, you really get to know them.”
According to Anderson, a recent census showed that the senior population increased 34% in Florida and that number only continues to climb, which makes the services Beaches COA offers even more vital.
There are a handful of slots remaining to take part in the dance fundraiser event. Tickets can be purchased by going to beachescoa.org/donate and by typing “dance” into the memo box.
