NVSC Supports Hospice of Northern Virginia

In 1997, Northern Virginia Shag Club adopted Hospice of Northern Virginia (now known as “Capital Hospice”) as its official club charity. Capital Hospice provides expert care, comfort and support for individuals and families facing terminal illnesses. It is a charitable organization, which turns no one away for inability to pay for care. Hospice helps people with terminal illnesses to live out their lives as fully and comfortably as possible. The Hospice approach combines pain control, symptom management and emotional and spiritual support for patients, their families and loved ones. The programs of the Hospice organization have touched the lives of many NVSC members.

After more modest fundraising efforts during 1997 and 1998, NVSC hit upon the idea of holding one major annual fundraiser for Capital Hospice: the Shag-a-Thon! The idea of the Shag-a-Thon is that before the event NVSC members get pledges of money donations to Capital Hospice from friends, relatives and co-workers. Some pledges are of flat amounts and some are on a per dance basis. The Shag-a-Thon is held on a Saturday afternoon inside a local shopping mall. NVSC DJ’s play beach and shag music, and members dance in a roped-off area. Hospice representatives are there to hand out literature to the public and to answer questions. The Shag-a-Thon also gives NVSC an opportunity to introduce the Club, the dance, and beach and shag music to the community.