IR Dance in the Community

Throughout the dance season, we hold events, drives and fundraisers to give back and support our community.  Visit this page throughout the year for updates on what's happening next. 

Uniform Buy-Out Week: January 23-29, in support of Yorktown Family Services

The Yorktown Family Services' Shelter provides a safe and secure haven for women and their children fleeing an abusive relationship.  Each winter, we hold our annual Uniform Buyout week.  Dancers pay $2 to not wear their bodysuit to class; ballet/acro/company classes can also pay $2 to not wear their hair in a bun.  Proceeds are donated to Yorktown.

IR Dance supports the following organizations:

Save the Evidence / Woodland Cultural Centre:

The Woodland Cultural Centre serves to preserve and promote Indigenous history, art, language and culture.  The centre was established in October 1972 under the direction of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians upon the closure of the Mohawk Institute Residential School.

Save the Evidence is a campaign to raise awareness and support for the restoration of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, and to develop the building into an Interpreted Historic Site and Educational Resource.  As one of only a handful of former residential school buildings still standing in Canada, and one of only two in Ontario, the site will be incorporated into the Woodland Cultural Centre’s one-of-a-kind educational experience.  The final goal is to create a fully-realized Interpretive Centre that will be the definitive destination for information about the history of Residential Schools in Canada, the experiences of Survivors of the schools, and the impact the Residential School system has had on our communities.

Families can choose to make an outright donation, through your online account, in any multiples of $10.  To donate, login to your family account and from the menu select "Search Store", under Charity you will see the donation link.  All funds will go directly to the Woodland Cultural Centre and proceeds go towards the Save the Evidence campaign.

   

Water First

In numerous Indigenous communities across Canada, tap water is not safe to drink.

Many communities have identified the need for certified personnel to operate and maintain their drinking water treatment systems.  Water First is Canada's leading charitable organization dedicated to working together with Indigenous communities to build capacity locally - collaborating to resolve both drinking water and environmental water concerns.  Since 2009, Water First has partnered with 60 Indigenous communities in Canada on a variety of water education and training programs.

Through education, training, and meaningful collaboration, Water First is supporting sustainable water systems to last generations.  Join us in supporting Water First's mission to address drinking waiter challenges in Indigenous communities!

Families can choose to make an outright donation, through your online account, in any multiples of $10.  To donate, login to your family account and from the menu select "Search Store", under Charity you will see the donation link.  All funds will go directly to Water First.

In September 2022, we partnered with CakeStar and held a bake sale which raised $2000 for Water First!

CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish:

The CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish is one of the largest distributers of toys to children in need in the Greater Toronto Area.  During the 3 weeks of classes leading up to the holiday break, we collect donations in the studio lobby.  Participating families can drop off new, unwrapped toys to our toy box.

Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation:

Conceived and launched by our Senior Dance Company dancers, t-shirts are sold at the studio with proceeds going to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.  Families can order a charity t-shirt through their online account or purchase at the front desk in the studio.  This initiative is done in loving memory of Rebecca DiBiasio.