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HILLSBOROUGH: Zumba benefit raises $1,000

    Who would think that dancing for a cause could cause such a commotion! On Sunday, Nov. 11, a Zumbathon event brought more than $1,000 for the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund.
    Clad in pink and black, eight local Zumba fitness instructors donated their time to be a part of the event. Ligia Alas, Jackie Lewin, Lauren Buckle and Jennifer Miller Battista — all of Hillsborough — with Donna Savage Friel of Montgomery, Brenda Becerra of Somerset and Janet Cantore-Watson of Flagtown (Hillsborough) led participants in a 90-minute fitness frenzy filled with fun and friendship.
    Fifty “Jersey strong” women showed up to show their support for the victims of the effects left by Superstorm Sandy. Before the dancing commenced, the women shared their power outage stories and downed tree tales, but all agreed their hardships were nothing compared to what others had lost.
    The event was organized and led by BFit4U studio owner and Zumba fitness instructor Denise Tweedie of Bridgewater and held at the BFit4U studio in the old K-Mart shopping center on Route 206 in Hillsborough.
    Ms. Tweedie said, “The network of ZINS (Zumba Instructors Network) posted the news about the event through social media.”
    Within a few days and with the velocity of the hurricane’s winds, word spread. More than 50 patrons, friends and Zumba fitness enthusiasts came through with clothing, non-perishable goods and dollar donations totaling more than $1,000.
    Ms. Tweedie said she and Zumba Legia Alas delivered the goods that day and wanted to send a special thank you to all involved in the event.
To find out how you can help, contact the American Red Cross at http://
www.redcross.org/charitable-donations.