Fundraisers to help team dance to national contest

Kudos to the Glenbard North High School Pantherettes Dance Team for advancing to the National Competition, which will be Feb. 1-5 at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

But before these 20 girls leave for the competition, their goal is to raise $17,000 for trip expenses -- and they are looking to the community for support.

A Casino Night planned for adults only will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Fox & Hound English Pub and Grill, Suite 410, 370 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale.

The best deal is to purchase advance tickets for $30 and receive $45 in chips. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $30, but you will receive only $30 in chips. Either way, you could leave the big winner.

The evening will include appetizers, raffles and a cash bar. For details or tickets, call Ginny at (630) 289-6354.

Another fundraiser is a candlelight bowl at 7 p.m. Jan. 12, which will offer three games of crazy bowling, a beef and chicken dinner, music and raffle at the Stardust Bowl of Addison, 37 E. Lorraine Ave. The cost is $60 per couple, including shoes and ball rentals. For details or tickets, call Joann at (630) 736-8116.

Yet another popular event, which has been offered for the last five years, is the Dance Camp for girls in kindergarten through eighth grade. What a great opportunity for younger girls to learn a dance routine and then perform it during a varsity basketball game Jan. 18.

Dance camp is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 2-4 at Glenbard North High School, 890 N. Kuhn Road, Carol Stream. Not only will the girls learn a routine, but they will play games and do other activities. A T-shirt is included in the $45 fee.

"The girls really do have a lot of fun," said Angela Mendez, a Pantherettes Dance mom. "And it's something to do during the holiday break."

This certainly would make a nice Christmas gift, too. For details or to register, call Angela at (630) 260-1115.

Donations and sponsorships are welcome, too. Potential sponsors are encouraged to contact Angela for information on how to include their business name on Dance Camp T-shirts. Also, prizes for raffles and monetary donations are welcome.