'Rockin' It For Ray' Zumba fundraiser to benefit Marysville firefighter

EVERETT — Marysville firefighter Ray Hancock will be getting some helping hands, and legs as well, on Nov. 19 from 7-9 p.m., when Club Broadway will be "Rockin' It For Ray."

The Zumba fundraiser will be asking for donations of $10 per person at the door to aid Hancock, a firefighter of 17 years who was recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as "Lou Gehrig's disease." With a prognosis of 3-5 years left to live, Hancock has remained stoic and continues to serve the Marysville Fire District on light-duty status in its administration building. In turn, his fellow firefighters organized an Oct. 9 fundraiser at Boston's Gourmet Pizza in Lakewood to help support Hancock, his wife Lisa Marie and their two college-age sons. Paige Funston, a Marysville Zumba instructor who organized a March 19 Zumba fundraiser for the Marysville Police Department K-9 Unit, is organizing "Rockin' It For Ray" as well.

"Zumba is an international, Latin-based dance workout," Funston said. "Just about anybody can do it, although we don't allow those under 13 for safety reasons. The music and the energy in the room motivates people. I've had people who never did a workout, or even walked into a gym, feel empowered by it and gain lifelong friends along the way. Even those who are pregnant or have disabilities can often do it. Hearing-impaired people can feel the beat in the floor to dance along."

Amanda Honsowetz, a neighbor of the Hancock family and the wife of an Arlington firefighter, encouraged men and women alike to turn out for the event.

"Guys can go to the bar there or they can come Zumba with us," Honsowetz said. "We'll also have raffle drawings, with photo sessions, custom cakes and haircuts all donated."

For more information, you can call Funston at 425-387-9061, or visit her Web site.

"If you have a cause of your own that you'd like a fundraiser for, contact us," Funston said.

Contact Marysville Globe Reporter Kirk Boxleitner at kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5052.

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