Chester County Community Foundation

  Let Your Legacy Make a Difference

About the Fund...
The Samantha Lee Zajac Memorial Fund provides for Adapted Dance programs designed to provide a fun and unique dance experience for girls and boys with physical disabilities. Dancers will enjoy the benefits of movement and creative exercises in a positive and supportive environment.

     The Fund is administered by the Chester County Community Foundation (a 501(c)3 charitable organization). Please consider making a donation.

Sammy and Adapted Dance...
Samantha, known to her friends and family as Sammy, was "bright, cheery, and large like the sun." Those are the words of her sister, Lindsay. Her family remembers Sammy’s love of dance -  a love both her sisters, Lindsay and Rachel, share.  Sammy, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby, found that dance not only gave her much joy and satisfaction, but also helped tremendously with her coordination and confidence.   Time and again, the Zajac family has witnessed the magic of dance.  They believe it is a magic that every child should have the opportunity to experience.   

     In 2001, Sammy died suddenly at the age of 8 due to a severe blood infection.  To honor Sammy’s life and spirit, her family established a legacy fund in her name.  The mission of Sammy’s Fund is to leave a lasting tribute to Sammy by making a significant contribution to children with disabilities.  This mission is what inspired the Zajac family to create a unique dance program for children with special needs, so that all children can be touched by the magic of dance.  Today, Sammy’s Fund supports the development of an adapted dance program for children with physical challenges who have the desire to experience the magic of dance.

     Sammy’s mother, Carla Zajac, explains: “Sammy’s passion for dance motivates and inspires us to give children a chance to participate in dance class, children who might not otherwise be able to so because of their physical limitations.  Sammy relished the feeling of being a dancer -- dressing up in her costumes,  moving in her own special way to music, and joining her friends in class each week. Our vision is to create a new dance program in our community where these children can fulfill their desires to be shining stars, too.”

Upcoming Events...
The 2010 Adapted Dance Camp
Date: Monday, August 2 - Thursday, August 5, 2010
Time: 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Location:     Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts
315 Westtown Road, Suite 9, West Chester
2010 Camp Announcement
2010 Registration Form
***All camp registration forms are due by Saturday, May 15***
Please mail completed packet by May 15 to:
Shining Stars Adapted Dance Camp
c/o Carla Zajac, Program Director
24 County Run
Thornton, PA 19373

Past Events...
The 2009 Adapted Dance Camp
Date: Monday, August 3 through Thursday, August 6
Location: Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts
315 Westtown Road, Suite 9, West Chester

About the Camp...
Shining Stars Adapted Dance Camp is designed to provide a fun and unique dance experience for girls and boys with physical disabilities.  Dancers will enjoy the benefits of movement and creative exercises in a positive and supportive environment.  Dancers will also have an opportunity to share what they’ve learned for their families on the last day of camp during a special performance.

     The camp will be led by a collaborative, experienced team of professionals including dance instructors and adapted physical educators.  Each dancer will be paired with a “personal coach” to provide assistance with movement and following directions.  Our coach volunteers include West Chester University adapted physical education or dance students and experienced high school dance students.

     Shining Stars Adapted Dance Camp is offered free of charge.  The costs for the camp are funded by the Samantha Zajac Memorial Fund of the Chester County Community Foundation in cooperation with the West Chester University Department of Kinesiology and Department of Theater and Dance and the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts.

Resources for Families with Children with Physical Disabilities…
Dance Offers Key To Mobility For Actor With Cerebral Palsy
Wednesday Night Children's Adapted Physical Education Program @ WCU


Press Archive...
2008
2008: The Samantha Lee Zajac Memorial Fund was featured in the Chester County Community Foundation’s 2008 Annual Report | Click here to view the 2-page spread.
September 30, 2008: Daily Local News - "Children with Physical Disabilities Shine at Dance Camp" | Full PR
August 25, 2008: Advance Magazine for Physical Therapists - "W'ere All in This Together" | Full PR, photo gallery

2007
August 2, 2007: Philadelphia Inquirer - "Their Time to Shine" | Full PR
July 2007: Daily Local News - "Children Learn to Dance Like the Stars" | Full PR
April 6, 2007: Philadelphia Inquirer - "Dance Program Advisor Dr. Monica Lepore Receives Rotary Award" | Full PR

Media Archive...
2008
To better understand our camp mission, please view here for a four minute PowerPoint presentation
(courtesy of Lindsay Zajac)

2007
Click here for a photo montage of the 2007 camp
(courtesy of Lindsay Zajac)
 

Questions? E-mail ShiningStarsADC@aol.com or call 610-399-3066

The Samantha Lee Zajac Memorial Fund is a Fund of the Chester County Community Foundation. A copy of the official registration and financial information of the Chester County Community Foundation may be obtained by calling the PA Department of State at 1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Upcoming Fund Activities and Events

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