Annual SMU benefit dance to help alumnus Leukemia patient

Saint Mary’s University will present the eighth annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, April 12.

The beneficiary of this year’s formal dance — open to the public — is SMU alumnus Steve Groby. Steve, a resident of Shakopee and formerly of Wabasha, was diagnosed two years ago with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia, which resulted in a bone marrow transplant last May.

The benefit dance has become an annual tradition since it was started by students in 2001 in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of Saint Mary’s Campus Ministry and Student Activities staff member Nikki Richmond. Taylor has a genetic terminal illness called Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) and the money from his benefit was used to fulfill Taylor’s dream of going to Disney World. Each year this event benefits someone in the SMU community in need.

The dance, featuring music by the Johnny Holm Band, will be held in the Toner Student Center dining room. Ticket prices are $15 per person or $25 per couple. To purchase tickets or receive more information, contact Jason Richter at Ext. 1648 or Katie LaPlant at Ext. 6936. Dance tickets will also be available at the door.

To make a donation, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Katie LaPlant, Box 1471.

In combination with the dance, a silent auction will be held on campus from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., today. A variety of homemade goods, gift baskets and specialty items will be on display in the game room of the Toner Student Center.

Other auction items include:

-- Weber propane grill
-- Ledebuhr's gift basket
-- One-week stay at a cabin in Ely
-- One-week stay at a condo in Florida
-- Weekend stay in the Dells
-- Timberwolves tickets
-- Wild tickets with signed jersey
-- Twins tickets
-- Themed baskets
-- Pillows
-- Lots of gift certificates
-- Much, much more!