Over a Decade of Giving

Breast Friends’ mission is to ensure no one goes through a breast cancer diagnosis alone. They provide an inclusive and supportive community for people at every stage of their journey, offering connection, understanding, and support as they navigate the challenges of breast cancer.

Hair Aid USA uses the skill of hairdressing to create opportunity and empower people. Internationally, volunteers teach haircutting skills to people living in poverty, giving them the opportunity to start their own micro-businesses and better support their families. Locally, their Community Cuts program provides free haircuts to people in need, offering dignity, connection, and a little extra confidence as they move forward.

At just 14 years old, Mallory Gillum developed multiple forms of epilepsy that could not be controlled with medication. As she grew older, an epilepsy alert service dog offered the possibility of greater safety and independence by alerting Mallory before a seizure and giving her time to get somewhere safe or ask for help.

In 2023, our SDA community came together to help Mallory raise the funds needed for her service dog. We were thrilled to raise more than $4,000—and even more excited when our guest speaker, Erin Schweitzer, generously donated the remaining amount Mallory needed to bring her pup home!

Following the tragic deaths of Amelia Green, age 11, and Elliana Kramer, age 16, the Sherwood community came together to support their families and one another. SDA held a fundraiser and silent auction to continue that support while also creating a space for our community, including Amelia and Elliana’s classmates, to gather and process our shared grief.

SDA hosted Sherwood’s first community talent show, bringing together performers of all kinds for an evening of entertainment and giving back. With local judges Renee Brouse, Alex Wilson, and Rob Kelly, host Christopher Flores, and a cash prize for the winner, the event raised funds for the Good Neighbor Center. The organization helps families experiencing homelessness in Washington County find stability and work toward permanent housing.

After months of medical challenges, Katie Baca underwent multiple major surgeries and was left unable to work, creating an unexpected financial strain for her family. Katie and her husband, Tim, had long been known for their generosity and willingness to help others in their community, often stepping in when someone was in need.

The Bacas had also generously given their time and creativity to SDA, designing and building our Robin Hood Festival float in 2016. When their family found themselves needing support, we were grateful for the opportunity to return some of the kindness they had so freely given to others.

The Children’s Tumor Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding effective treatments for neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic condition that can cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. NF affects approximately one in 3,000 people and can lead to serious lifelong health challenges.

Our fundraising show brought the community together with a silent auction, performances by the SDA Showstoppers, martial arts demonstrations by The Scramble, and live music by There Is No Mountain. Most importantly, the event gave local children and families affected by NF an opportunity to share their stories and help raise awareness.

In collaboration with Musa Martial Arts, the Mixolydians, and the Sherwood High School Jazz Band, the SDA Showstoppers held a fundraiser to support the Rose family. After an 11-year battle with brain cancer, Sherwood High School counselor Jeneva Rose learned that her cancer had progressed. At the same time, her husband, Jim, was facing open-heart surgery and an extended absence from work. Together, our community rallied around the Rose family during an incredibly difficult time.

Jeneva passed away the following year, but her connection to SDA continued. In her memory, the Rose family made a generous donation to our scholarship fund, which was renamed the Rose Scholarship Fund in her honor. Today, that fund continues Jeneva’s legacy by helping other children experience the joy of dance.

In February 2014, Michael Perez passed away suddenly at just 32 years old, leaving behind his wife, Jenny, and their two young daughters, Isabella and Madilynn. Just two weeks later, the SDA Showstoppers came together for a performance at Sherwood High School to support the Perez family, raising more than $2,500 to help them during an unimaginable time.

That fundraiser became the beginning of an SDA tradition. What started as one opportunity to rally around a local family grew into our Annual Spring Fundraiser, bringing dancers, families, and our community together year after year to support people and organizations who need a little extra help.