WINDERMERE, Fla. – You can call it dancing or a good workout, but Zumba instructor Katty Cole said the goal is to simply have fun.
“The reason why I keep doing it is because of the students. The students show me and tell me this has changed my life,” Cole said.
For a full hour, all her Zumba students did not stop to the beat Tuesday which also gave them the energy to volunteer.
“We have an opportunity to serve, and I said everybody, we have exciting news! Come! And we can serve others,” Cole said.
Thanks to nonprofit Light Orlando, Cole decided to get results so all her students joined in to make sandwiches for the Coalition for the Homeless following a fire last week that displaced more than 200 men.
“We love to exercise and then this was just a great opportunity to be able to serve and to be able to serve the community and meet more people in our community,” Caroline Siggard said.
Siggard volunteered after the Zumba class and brought her daughter Holly, 4, to help out as well.
Students also made bags filled with toiletries for the nonprofit Dave’s House, which helps residents with mental illnesses who do not have a place to stay.
“It’s really important for us that we give them the opportunity to feel like it’s home. It’s a permanent home for them and we continue to provide that stability,” Grace Dearden with Dave’s House said.
Tuesday’s event is part of Light Orlando’s annual LOVE week charity push.
“I’ve learned through my depression and anxiety that giving back, helping others, not focusing so much on you, focusing on others and what others need, fills your soul,” Cole said.
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