On Saturday, Gary Balling, executive director of the Park District of Oak Park, and his dancing partner, Charity Luter, early childhood and seniors supervisor at the Park District, wowed two audiences of about 160, by performing at the Park District’s Annual Dance Recital held at Beye School. Balling agreed to do a number at the recital after challenging his staff last December to sponsor five families with the local Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program. Originally, the staff was going to sponsor three families, but Balling said if they upped it to five, and bought all 70 gifts needed, then he’d perform.
Balling said, “It went really well and was a great cause. It certainly drew me out of my comfort zone.”
The Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program is funded by a grant provided by Youth Services of Oak Park and River Forest Townships. The baskets are given to Oak Park and River Forest families who are referred by social workers in schools, congregations and agencies, according to gift basket coordinator Alyce Bode. Last year the program provided gift baskets to 862 families.
“It’s truly heartwarming to see the caring communities who take care of these families year after year,” Bode said.
Is there anything the Balling brothers can’t do? I expect to see you and Susan do the Tango at the next NEDSRA event! Way to go, Gary!
Jeena
Gary,
It’s kind of like running a marathon!!!
Great job Gary!
Gary,
What a great cause….and totally out of your comfort zone!
Great job, as usual. You continue to be a real trooper.
Sandy
I tossed this idea out as a joke in a full time staff meeting and Gary really ran with it…or should I say danced with it!
Kudos to Gary, his feet, and the sweet moves of Charity Luter!
Gary, That was an amazing, brave thing you did. Your full of surprises! Charity, I know you from ACA. You can Dance too? That’s wonderful.