Business Leaders Giving Back

Dance for the Cure
Jun 4
3 min read

Welcome to our Series on Fundraisers

Throughout the month of June we'll be publishing a weekly article highlighting the creative and fun ways that businesses and individuals find to support Dance for the Cure.

One of the things that continues to amaze us at Dance for the Cure is how many different ways people find to support local breast cancer patients. Some fundraisers are large community events. Others are simple ideas started at work, in a restaurant, or among a group of employees who wanted to do something together.

That’s what makes these fundraisers special. They are personal, local, and doable.

This month, we’re spotlighting several businesses and workplace fundraisers that helped support Dance for the Cure during 2025. Each one was different, proving that there’s no single way to make a difference.

Hunterdon County Staff Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

On October 10, 2025, Hunterdon County staff members came together for a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk organized by Gretchen Larsen, Public Information Officer for Hunterdon County. The event brought county employees, commissioners, and community members together for a morning centered around awareness, support, and community connection.

Commissioner Susan J. Soloway presented a proclamation and introduced Kathleen Cirioli, co-founder of Dance for the Cure, who welcomed and spoke to the group. Commissioner Jeff Kuhl also participated in the event.

One especially touching moment included former Dance for the Cure donee, Judith Buday, joining the event alongside Kathleen. Seeing former recipients participate in community events is always a reminder of how directly these fundraisers help local families. Samantha Iraca, Community Outreach Liaison, also joined Commissioner Soloway during the walk.

This event raised $590.00. What made this event stand out was how naturally it brought people together. A simple walk during Breast Cancer Awareness Month created an opportunity for county staff to support a local cause while spending time together outside the normal workday.

Susan Foti Work Fundraiser

Dance for the Cure volunteer Susan Foti brought fundraising into the workplace through a Denim Day fundraiser at Norris McLaughlin Attorneys at Law. Employees donated in exchange for dressing casually for the day, raising $177 for Dance for the Cure.

Workplace fundraisers like this are a great example of how easy it can be to get involved. A simple idea gave coworkers a chance to participate together while supporting local breast cancer patients in the communities where they live and work.

ContainerPort Bake Sale

David King and the team at ContainerPort held a bake sale fundraiser that raised $910 for Dance for the Cure. Events like bake sales have a way of pulling people in. Employees contribute homemade items, coworkers stop by to support the effort, and conversations start naturally throughout the day. It creates a shared sense of community within the workplace.

ContainerPort’s fundraiser showed how something familiar and low-pressure can still make a real impact for local patients in need.

World Group Foundation

The World Group Foundation donated $2,000 to Dance for the Cure during 2025. According to Mike Fitzgibbon, Executive Director, multiple company locations participated in the fundraising effort, with especially strong support coming from teams in Detroit, Cincinnati, and Columbus. He shared that the organization built something they hope to continue growing in 2026.

One of the nice things about company-wide fundraising efforts is how they create a sense of shared purpose across offices and teams, even in different locations. Support for local breast cancer patients became something employees could rally around together.

Ellery’s Pink Martini Fundraiser

During the month of October, Ellery’s Grill featured a Pink Martini drink special, donating $1 from each drink sold to Dance for the Cure. Coordinated by Dance for the Cure volunteer Brooke Herbst, the fundraiser raised $100 and was later presented during the Dance for the Cure volunteer dinner.

Restaurant fundraisers like this are always fun because customers get to participate in such an easy way. Ordering one featured drink during a night out became a way for people to support local breast cancer patients without needing to attend a formal fundraiser or event.

One of the biggest takeaways from all of these fundraisers is that support can start with almost any idea. A bake sale, a dress-down day, a drink special, a walk, or an office collection can all grow into something that helps local families going through treatment.

Dance for the Cure is incredibly grateful to the businesses, employees, volunteers, and community members who continue finding creative ways to give back. Their efforts help provide financial assistance to local breast cancer patients throughout Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties.