Dancing for a Cause

Kate Caligaris does not consider herself to be a dancer and has always worked hard to stay off the dance floor. Yet, on November 15, she will show off her dance moves at Fancy Steps, an annual fundraiser for the Children’s Museum at Holyoke.

The event draws 600 people and will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“I have to keep reminding myself that I’m doing this for a good cause,” said Kate, Vice President and Human Resources Program Manager for Liberty Bank.

Kate is pushing herself out of her comfort zone to support an organization that is important to her. Growing up in Holyoke, she visited the Children’s Museum frequently. Her mother served on its Board of Directors. Kate did too, serving as a Board member for eight years – two as president. She remains an engaged museum volunteer.

“My family believes it is important to give back to the community that raised you,” Kate explained.

In addition to working with the museum, Kate helps her community in other ways. She is on the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and is a Board member for the American Cancer Society ‘s Massachusetts Golf Classic. She’s also teaming up with her dad to start a youth basketball program at her local YMCA.

Kate, new to Team Liberty, joined the Bank earlier this year and was attracted to the job, in part, because of Liberty’s commitment to community service. Volunteering is encouraged, and you even get paid to do it, she said. “That’s one of the reasons I chose Liberty,” Kate said. “It matches my personal values.”

As for her upcoming Fancy Steps performance, she’s been practicing. Celebrity dancers, including Kate, are expected to raise at least $800 to cover the cost of dance lessons. Kate has already raised more than $1,000 for the museum.

Recognizing that she has no dance experience, Kate strategically picked the song she will dance to: “It’s Raining Men.” “I wanted to pick something people will know and move to,” she said, adding that she is also organizing the event’s silent auction.

Holyoke has a 24 percent poverty rate, and organizations like the Children’s Museum at Holyoke have dedicated outreach efforts and events to promote learning in the community. Kate said The Children’s Museum is an affordable, safe and inclusive place for many families, particularly those who do not have a lot of resources. That’s why she will do whatever she can to ensure funding for new exhibits and activities – even if that means dancing in front of 600 people.

Growing up I learned opportunity is not universal,” she said. “Volunteering is important. It doesn’t always have to be sponsorships and grants. Most of the sports and arts programs I attended in my youth were volunteer led. It takes a village and even a few hours a month goes an incredibly long way in underserved communities.”