The Austin Chapter of the Awesome Foundation is thrilled to announce our July grantee: CASACA, the Capital Area Social & Activity Coordinators Association, and their project, A Dance to Remember.

CASACA, the Capital Area Social & Activity Coordinators Association, supports life enrichment activities for over 60 long-term care facilities in Austin. “‘Play’ may not be most people’s first thought about nursing homes,” says Maggie Gallant, CASACA’s vice president, “but our residents refuse to be limited by their age or their physical impairments.”

Gallant says the annual dances put on by CASACA give adult residents in long term care a chance to socialize, reminisce and show off on the dance floor. And, adds Gallant, “They tell these residents that they have not been forgotten about — that they are still part of our community and are still respected.”

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of dances, CASACA is planning “A Dance to Remember” in October 2013. Held at a venue that’s worth dressing up for, there will be dance cards, attentive volunteer dance partners, a live band, and — by popular request, the first-ever dance-off. Gallant expects at least 100 residents to attend, and the $1000 grant from the Austin Awesome Foundation will allow CASACA to put on a truly special and memorable event.