Lakewood pre-schooler’s video makes ‘Dance-off’ finals
The Gumz family - Aiden, Rebekah and Schannon - hopping through the snow in Aden's Dance-off video. Photo Courtesy Jackson Spalding Agency
SUBMITTED BY: Jenny Morgan, Jackson Spalding Agency, for Primrose Schools
LAKEWOOD – The Gumz family is “hippity-hopping” in Primrose Schools’ national Family Dance-off to fight childhood obesity and benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals after their “FrogP” dance video has landed them in the final round of the second annual Family Dance-off,
The family learned about the Dance-off from their son Aiden’s school, Primrose School of Bear Creek in Lakewood, and jumped at the chance to participate.
“We’re definitely not dancers, but we love to be active and have fun. The Family Dance-off seemed like a great way to help others and have fun as a family,” said Rebekah Gumz, Aiden’s mom.
A grand-prize win in the Dance-off includes a donation of $30,000 to the Children’s Hospital, a Miracle Network affiliate, as well as a $5,000 cash prize. Second prize for the Jeffco family would bring them $3,000 and a $20,000 donation to the hospital, while third prize would net $1,500 and a $15,000 donation.
But to secure the donation to The Children’s Hospital, the Gumz family needs votes.
Supporters can go to FamilyDanceoff.com to vote up to five times a day through March 26. Independent judges will select the winner based on the number of votes, creativity, originality and humor of the videos. The winning entries will be announced the week of March 28.
Inspired by her son’s love of animals, Rebekah Gumz spent three weeks hand-sewing costumes and writing a song about royal frogs dancing in the forest for Aiden to sing. In their video, the crowned and frog-clad Gumz family (dog Sugar Bear included) hops, “ribbets” and dances through the snow to show how fun it is to play outside, even in cold and wintry weather. “My husband (Schannon) was unsure about dressing up as a frog, but was willing to help for a good cause,” Rebekah laughed.
Beyond the froggy fun, the Family Dance-off’s mission to promote physical activity has been especially meaningful to the Gumzes.
“We moved to Colorado for a more active lifestyle,” said Rebekah. “We love to be outdoors – sledding, snowboarding, riding the snowmobile during the winter, and hiking and camping in the summer. Spending time as a family doing fun, physical activities help you create memories and bond like nothing else.”
The Family Dance-off is part of Primrose’s commitment to happy hearts and healthy bodies in each of its preschools and communities. Childhood obesity and the need for more physical activity are critical issues for young children in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the national childhood obesity rate has tripled in the last 30 years, and the American Journal of Health Promotion reports one in three children under 2 years old is overweight.
“Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and The Children’s Hospital Foundation are thrilled to once again promote healthy lifestyle awareness by supporting Primrose Schools’ Family Dance-off,” said Molly Oliver, CMNH event coordinator for The Children’s Hospital Foundation. “On behalf of the 158,000 children and their families who depend on The Children’s Hospital, we are grateful to have community partners like Primrose Schools to promote the importance of safe physical activity and family fun.”
For more information about the Family Dance-off, visit FamilyDanceoff.com.
Primrose Schools, founded in 1982, is the nation’s leader in providing consistent, accredited early childhood education and child care services in more than 200 schools in 16 states. Primrose School’s foundation is based on a dedicated and passionate group of early childhood professionals providing high quality education with a balance of learning, character development and play. For more information, visit www.primroseschools.com.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4 billion to support research and training, purchase equipment and pay for uncompensated care. Learn more at www.CMNHospitals.org.
