PADS of Elgin is another beloved non-profit organization in Elgin that exists to provide shelter to our local homeless population. Like Food For Greater Elgin, they are concerned with providing basic needs to neighbors in need.
Each year, PADS hosts a major fundraising event that features local “celebrities” who volunteer to dance with a partner in a competition modeled after the popular television program, “Dancing With The Stars.”
This year, our very own Executive Director, Shelia Jackson, was one of those dancing stars!
Shelia heard about the event through her involvement with the Elgin Area Leadership Academy and decided to take a leap. Her dance partner, Robert Castro of Advocate Sherman Hospital, is also a member of the Leadership Academy’s class of 2019, and together they worked with mother/daughter dance duo Maria Giselle & Celia Lopez to learn their steps before the big night.
On February 2, after weeks of practice and preparation, Shelia and Robert danced two salsa/merengues at the PADS Winter Harvest for the Homeless event and took home first place by raising nearly $4,000 for PADS!