Dance-a-Thon Raises Thousands for Rayburn Boy

by Jonathan Weaver

A student council-coordinated fundraiser Friday collected a total of more than $10,000 for a Rayburn Township boy battling leukemia.

The 10-hour “Glow for Gabe” dance-a-thon at Kittanning Senior High raised money for five-year-old Gabe Aguirre – who was diagnosed with the cancer October 29.

Kittanning Senior High Senior Ashley Worlds coordinated the Star Wars-themed event and was amazed at the end total – which was about $3,500 more than was collected during last year’s dance-a-thon to benefit another child.

“I am very proud of my school for coming together to help raise this money.

“People were very helpful and willing to give money for this cause. Because they knew Gabe’s family, they were very willing to help us, and we’re grateful for that, Worlds said.

“(Gabe) deserves that.”

Gabe is the son of LA Taco food truck owners Walter and Amy Aguirre.

Co-Chair Timmy Wiles - a junior student on Team Black 1 but also dressed in neon green socks and shorts – said student council had a budget of about $2,000 for decorations, but any money left over will also be donated to Gabe.

“I went the past two years, and it’s so fun to see all the money we raise for being such a small school,” Wiles said. “We only graduate about 100 per class, and to think we made $6,000 last year and over that this year is really powerful.”

Junior Gina Roncher led Team Black 1 to collect individually about $120 from family, friends and co-workers.

Kittanning Student Council President Sarah Dunn (who was team captain for the green team) praised the student council members for raising more than last year (which was their goal), as did Student Council Co-Advisors Brad Hobaugh and Donald Swanson.

“They worked so hard, they were here all day decorating. They have a passion for helping people – I’m so proud of them,” Hobaugh said.

Even though she is only a freshman, Madison Titus said she decided to join the Orange Team (made up of softball players) because of Worlds and Dunn – who she referred to as her role models.
As soon as Gabe entered the auditorium while final preparations were being made, he jumped into an inflatable jousting ring and was ready to tackle Kittanning Senior Zak Sweeney – who also helped plan the dance-a-thon.

“It took a lot of work, lot of hours but in the end it really pays off for the family,” Sweeney said.

Worlds, Wiles, Dunn and Sweeney visited the Aguirre family about three months before the dance-a-thon to plan the event theme.

Gabe’s mother, Amy, said Gabe will begin at-home chemotherapy in two weeks – which will last about two years.

Amy said the past five months have been busy – between running the food truck and taking care of her other two daughters to Gabe having to be taken out of Happy Home Day Care in Ford City. Gabe was even in the emergency room April 4 until about 4AM with a fever and a respiratory virus.

But, Amy and Walter said Gabe was looking forward to Friday’s event and that the turnout and donations from students, friends and family – both financial and from groceries to laundry and well-wishes - have been very uplifting and inspiring.

“I think it’s absolutely amazing – when I went to high school, we didn’t do these types of events. When they came to me and told me they had chosen Gabriel, it’s very overwhelming,” Amy said. “There’s really no words to describe it.”

Walter said the proceeds will help with ongoing expenses – such as prescriptions and expenses associated with hospital visits (including food, fuel and parking).

“When people come out of their way to help us, it’s a little bit more special than the finances,” Walter said.

Of the dozen teams that filled the black lit Lt. Charles T. Hutchison Memorial Gymnasium, one team was even from Ford City Junior/Senior High. The two schools are to merge together this fall into Armstrong Junior-Senior High.

Ford City Student Council President Lauren Pyle – dressed in bright orange - explained the plan to hold a dance-a-thon together was made during last school year.

“Whenever we had our first meeting in January 2014, one of the things we wanted to do was try to get our students acclimated to doing events with Kittanning,” Pyle said. “Our team raised about $200 – it’s a fun thing. Our (student council) and their (student council) all coming together for one cause.”

“We want to be one big happy family,” Worlds added.

Ford City Senior Karlee Smith (who plans to work at LA Taco again this summer, but never got to know Gabe well before Friday) volunteered as Team Orange captain because of the cause and her relationship with many of the Kittanning student council leaders.

“(The Aguirre family are) the sweetest people. Anything I do or the schools do, you can tell it means so much to them,” Smith said. “They’re such great people. It’s hard not to help them.”

Worlds added that the family was “extremely grateful” for the large donation.

Spanish 1 and 2 Teacher Tracey Zeigler chaperoned the event and even brought her two children: West Shamokin High Sophomore (and student council member) Elizabeth and Kittanning Junior High Student Hattie.

“It’s really nice to see the students stepping up like this,” Zeigler said.

It was the third year Pat McElfresh of Worthington has DJ’d for the annual dance-a-thon. McElfresh graduated from Lenape Tech last year, but was a full-time student at Kittanning for two years.

The nearly-150 participating students clapped and cheered when Gabe entered the gymnasium. Walter relayed his appreciation to students and said it gave the family hope for the future.