On Friday, Get Reddi to Dance with Teddi

One of Fisher’s most honored student-led traditions will fill the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center with music, laughs, dance, and most important love as more than 200 students participate in the 42nd Teddi Dance for Love.

The 24-hour dance-a-thon, which raises funds for Camp Good Days and Special Times, begins at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9 and concludes at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, in the Athletic Center. This year, students hope to raise $120,000 for the Teddi Project, Camp’s annual trip to Orlando, Florida.

On Friday, Feb. 2, the Teddi Committee kicked off Reddi for Teddi Week at the annual Very Beary Brunch. Teddi Chair Emily Sullivan ’24 and Vice Chair Grayce Trimboli ’25 provided a preview of this year’s dance, and Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, Fisher’s president; Gary Mervis, Camp Good Days and Special Times founder; and Adam Bello, Monroe County Executive and Teddi Dance honorary chair, offered remarks.

“I am completely humbled and honored to be selected as this year’s honorary chair,” said Bello, who will cheer on the dancers throughout the dance-a-thon. “To see these college students so dedicated to raising funds for the Teddi Project—and helping other young people in our community who are facing medical challenges—is an inspirational thing.”

Quoting Gene Kelly, Bello said, “’You dance love, you dance joy, you dance dreams.’ What better way to describe the Teddi Dance for Love? When we hit the dance floor next week, we’re going to do just that. We’ll dance for love, we’ll dance for joy, and we’re going to dance to make dreams come true for so many young people across this community.”

The Teddi Committee also honored and recognized staff members and alumni for their support and encouragement during the event. Laura Fitzgerald, director of student engagement and leadership, was given the Dr. Lou Buttino Faculty & Staff Involvement Award; Bob Heerkens, retired member of Facilities Services, was named the recipient of the Paul Klee Award; and alumna Alyssa Klonowski ’23, former Teddi chair, was honored with the Teddietta Award.

Teddi 42 has more than 125 committee members and more than 200 students have registered to dance. Over the 24-hour fundraiser, dancers will enjoy a number of performances, including Fisher Dance and Irish Dance Club; Jazzercise, yoga, and Zumba; and a silent disco. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, more than 40 campers will arrive for a carnival, complete with games, bounce houses, and more.

Each year the Teddi Dance for Love is dedicated to someone who has become near and dear to Camp Good Days. This year, Fisher students will dance in honor of Madison “Maddie” Barthelmes, who passed away in 2023, at the tender age of six following a year-long fight with leukemia. Barthelmes is the daughter of Kaitlyn and John Barthelmes, an adjunct professor in the Mathematics Department at Fisher. Many Fisher students came to know Maddie’s story through virtual interactions with John. A longtime friend of the Teddi Dance for Love, he has provided the balloons that arch over the dance floor for years.  

To register for the dance in advance, visit Teddi’s website (teddi.sjf.edu).  A $50 donation is requested for dancers interested in participating for the full 24 hours; the suggested donation for the mini eight-hour marathon, held from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, is $35.

Follow @TeddiDance4Love on Instagram for updates. To donate to the dance, visit the Committee’s Give Lively page.