On Friday April 25, 2025, the students of Pope John Paul II will be on their feet to raise money for and express solidarity with kids in need all around the country.

This year, we are dancing to support four charities, all of which help kids in need. All funds raised will be split evenly between the following organizations:

• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia --“Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the oldest hospital in the United States dedicated exclusively to pediatrics, strives to be the world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children by integrating excellent patient care, innovative research and quality professional education into all its programs.”

• Archdiocese Special Education Schools--Too often, children with special instructional needs are brought up learning how to adjust to the world – how to survive a place that wasn’t made for them. But the Archdiocesan Special Education Schools believe those children, and the world around them, were brought to life by a Creator with grand and beautiful plans. These schools were built to immerse students in the wonder of their surroundings, the love of their communities, and the joy of learning that every child shares. Each of their special education schools delivers a strong combination of academic, sensory, and spiritual instruction. So students learn more than the skills needed to make it in the world; they learn how to make the world a better place.

•  The Lenny Martelli Foundation-- The Lenny Martelli Foundation aims to obtain & preserve the highest quality of life for adolescent spinal cord injuries around the country through community outreach awareness programs & fundraising events - in addition to supporting the Adolescent Spinal Cord Injury & Music Therapy programs at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.  Lenny Martelli is a 2012 Graduate of PJP and a member of the Legacy Hall of Fame.

• Childhood Brain Cancer Awareness - Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a rare and aggressive brain tumor that primarily affects children. DIPG is generally considered terminal, with a median survival of less than one year after diagnosis.   We dance in memory of EJ Wahl, class of 2013, son of Social Studies teacher, Mr. Wahl.

Please be generous, and be sure to indicate the name of the dancer you would like your gift attributed.