Santa Clarita Valley Jazzercisers raised over $500 for the Santa Clarita Women’s Domestic Violence Center by staging a benefit “disco party” dance-fitness class on Thanksgiving morning.

According to Jazzercise instructor and one of the organizers, Shauna Parnell, the Domestic Violence Center will use the donations to further assist families within the SCV who require the services of their emergency shelter, women’s support groups, crisis intervention, children’s therapy, and teen and youth services. The DVC also provides a 24-hour emergency hotline as well as individual counseling for families in need.

Held at Lakeshore Clubhouse Fitness Center, the event drew over 40 participants.

“This is the 5th time Jazzercisers around Santa Clarita have come together on Thanksgiving morning to raise money and supplies for the Domestic Violence Center, an organization that is near and dear to our hearts,” says Shauna. “The generosity shown during this one class was amazing. I thought in this time of economic crisis that we wouldn’t meet our goal, but we actually exceeded it. I’m so proud of our wonderful participants and the vendors who donated raffle items for the class. Raffle ticket sales accounted for about $300 of the money raised. And next Thanksgiving we’re going to do it all over again!”

Almira Agosto of the Domestic Violence Center receives the check from Shauna Parnell for $530, all raised during one Jazzercise class with over 40 participants.

Pictured at top of page: Jazzercise instructors (from left to right): Valerie Hackney , Patsy Ayala, Shauna Parnell and Karen Santee

More about Jazzercise
Judi Sheppard Missett, who turned her love of jazz dance into a worldwide dance exercise phenomenon, founded the Jazzercise dance fitness program in 1969. She has advanced the business opportunities of women and men in the fitness industry by growing her program into an international franchise business that today, hosts a network of 7,500 instructors teaching more than 32,000 classes weekly in 32 countries. In the Santa Clarita area, you can find four different class locations in Newhall, Valencia, Canyon Country and Castaic.

The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, and kickboxing movements, has been alive and well in the SCV for over 25 years. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility, as well as an overall “feel good” factor. For more information on Jazzercise contact Shauna Parnell at 661-254-8160. For worldwide class information, go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT.

To learn more, visit jazzercise.com