The kids of Stockton, California are about to lose out on one the greatest facilities and communities it has if we don’t step up and help.

The Pace Dance Company - owned and operated since 2010 by its amazing choreographer, Ms Kelly Pace - is struggling to stay afloat in these challenging times, just like many businesses.

But here’s why we all need to help -:

Kelly caters to a community that is quite economically depressed, where the kids aren’t from mega-wealthy families that can usually afford such things as dance lessons. In fact, she’s kept her monthly fees down to an incredibly low price for years because she didn’t want the kids to miss out on learning to express themselves in creative and energetic ways that benefit their mental health and young growing bodies. She wanted them to have the opportunity to learn self expression and to expand and enrich their lives by doing something fun, rewarding and healthy, steering them into a life that they may never have attained otherwise. This is despite the fact that keeping those fees low for so long is tough on the running expenses of the studio. Now, repairs need to be done urgently to the air conditioning, which has broken down, especially with summer approaching. (Can you imagine how hot the kids get dancing without proper aircon?!)

In fact, the studio has been broken into twice in recent times. Lots of equipment has been stolen, including the stereo system (much needed for a dance studio!), speakers and other necessary items. Damage was done and unfortunately the insurance company only covered the cost of replacing the busted-in door. (How many times do we hear of stories where insurance didn’t cover the event?). And so, these repairs and replacements need to be done ASAP and this is what the campaign is about. This is where your kind and generous donations will be put to use.

Kelly has been teaching dance for more than 30 years. Her heart and soul absolutely loves working with kids but she’s also the type of person that gives and gives so much to those that she cares about that her own needs mostly get put aside. She puts herself last time and again and I can absolutely vouch for that as I have been on the receiving end of her kindness many times. And there’s many people reading this who would say the exact same thing.

She’s also not the type of person to call out for help when she needs it. For others, YES! In a heartbeat. But not for herself. She quietly carries on and the only reason I know what’s currently going on and the stress she’s under is because I dragged it out of her. She’s not worried for herself either - she’s worried for “her kids”. That’s the type of person she is - a woman with a heart so big, it barely fits inside her ribcage.

But now it’s time that she gets the help she needs and deserves. Because losing the studio would be soul-crushing for her - a woman who has taught dance for decades, who has dedicated her life for the last 15 years to the kids of Stockton, California, allowing those kids to have the resources and outlets they need to do sports and drama and other such activities. To lose this would be detrimental to those kids and devastating to so much of their community.

Kelly won’t tell you this herself willingly but because she came to the aid of a dying friend recently and took over their long term care and welfare, her studio needs now suffer as a result of that selflessness. Her kindness and generosity to her ill friend has come at a big price, even though she wouldn’t have done things any differently.

And so I’m asking you all to please step in and help her now. Help her keep the studio that the kids of Stockton so desperately need and want. Whatever kind of donation you can offer is going to be of enormous help. Also please please share this to everyone you know. Get the word out so we can save this wonderful place and keep Kelly and Her Kids dancing for years to come.

Thank you all so much,

Zelka/Zelly