McAleer-Paulson School of Irish Dance are a Multiplying Good One in a Million Award recipient. They are among the millions of people who are putting others first and using service as a solution to the problems we're facing. Read their story below then nominate someone who's making a difference during this unprecedented time!
One in a Million Award recipient: McAleer-Paulson School of Irish Dance
Where they are multiplying good: Wilmington, Delaware
How they are multiplying good: They are One in a Million. The McAleer - Paulson School of Irish Dance knew that childhood cancer did not take a break during the pandemic. Many of our dancers have participated in events in the past for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation to help kids fighting cancer such as the Annual 5K walk. The B+ Foundation all about kids helping kids fight cancer and encourage all to Live Like Andrew and be positive - Andrew lost his life at the age of 14 after a 167-day battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Andrew was kind and fun and his family wants everyone to Live Like Andrew as our t-shirts read on the back! Andrew's blood type was B+ and be positive was the way he lived. This year, the B+ 5K is postponed and charity dance at the Delaware Feis was cancelled because of the pandemic. We knew revenues had to be down. So, to help these kids fighting cancer, The McAleer - Paulson dancers did their own reel/treble reel for charity within their school while living like Andrew. The rules were simple: be original, be creative, BE POSITIVE, dance, and Live Like Andrew. Their videos were so amazing - all promoting a positive message! We asked for a $10 donation so we thought we would raise a few hundred however, the families rose to the challenge and raised $1000! They met with Joe, Chris, and Ali McDonough on a zoom meeting and surprised them with $1000 to help kids fighting cancer or fund some type of cancer or pay someone's mortgage. During this meeting, Joe told us about Stephanie, a little girl battling leukemia, her mom got COVID - 19 and passed away, Stephanie also got COVID - 19 along with her leukemia and did survive, she has not father so is living with her aunt and uncle who were in the restaurant business and out of work. Our dancers can do many things with their feet - compete, perform, but most importantly we like them to know that they can speak with their feet and give to others - to kids like Stephanie. It's what the foundation is all about - kids helping other kids in the fight of their life! One of our dancers went to Ocean City, NJ, to film her reel in front of Andrew's memorial bench. Check out some of the videos on the McAleer - Paulson fb page or Instagram! The true heroes though are these kids fighting, like Stephanie and many others, also known as the B+ heroes:) And Joe McDonough - just an amazing human who walks his talk 365/24/7 to help these kids fighting cancer in his son's memory. The McAleer - Paulson School of Irish Dance is humbled to do our small part to help.
