Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors magazine loves to shine the spotlight on individuals and organizations who give their time, talents, energy and resources to those in need. And our community is undoubtedly filled with generous people who expect nothing in return other than knowing they make a difference in someone’s life.
In this case, though, we don’t need to shine anything on Eve Turner because this Newtown Square resident and Marple Newtown High School grad has her own shiny mirror ball trophy to prove that she’s a standout!
On Saturday, January 31st, Eve competed in Methodist Services’ Dancing for Dreams ballroom dance competition, a high-energy evening that brought the community together in celebration and support. Modeled after popular televised dance competitions, the event paired local community leaders with professional dancers for weeks of preparation leading up to a live performance. Each participant took to the dance floor not only to showcase their newly learned moves but also to raise awareness and funds for Methodist Services’ critical programs.
“I was chosen to represent my company, Helm Creative Studio, one of the sponsors of this event,” Eve explained. “I was thrilled when I was presented with the opportunity to give back to my community and to an organization that supports causes that I am passionate about.” For over 150 years, Methodist Services has provided life-enriching services to children, adults and families as they face the challenges of limited resources, increased poverty and homelessness, disability, and inequities in education and behavioral health services. Quality services provided include housing, child care, education programs, permanence in families, mental health services and nutrition programs.
Eve is no stranger to giving back because she knows firsthand how important it is to have resources and support during tough times. She explained, “Dancing for Dreams took place on January 31st, an important day for my family and me. This year, it marked 16 years to the day since my brother and I lost our dad to brain cancer. We would not be where we are today without the village that helped us through each day. It meant the world to me to be able to raise money to help families in need of their own village.”
Eve was paired up with professional ballroom dancer Scott Lazarov, owner of DanceSport Academy in Ardmore. Over the years, Scott has earned finalist placements in every major competition, including the prestigious World Salsa and Mambo Championships. A four-time U.S. and World Pro-Am Champion, Scott has also claimed titles such as U.S. Salsa Champion, U.S. Rising Star Champion and Grand National Champion.
“Even though I have extensive dance experience, I was a little nervous because I have never trained in ballroom,” Eve said. “Scott decided that we would dance a Jive to the song Faith from the Sing movie soundtrack.” The pair got to work and trained for months before the big event. “Not only were we preparing to perform, but we also spent that time raising money for Methodist Services by asking friends, family and colleagues to cast votes for us in the form of monetary donations and event ticket purchases,” explained Eve.
Dancing for Dreams took place at the prestigious Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia. The ballroom was filled with excitement, encouragement and plenty of applause as the seven competing couples of all experience levels stepped outside their comfort zones. Friends, family members, colleagues and supporters cheered from their seats, knowing that every step, every turn and every smile represented a shared commitment to helping vulnerable youth and families.
“What an incredible time at the Bellevue, getting the whole team together for a wonderful cause,” said Ashlee Hollis, President and Founder of Helm Creative Services. “Eve trained for months with Scott to prepare a routine to compete in their dance competition, and we are so proud of her for her hard work and dedication to her dance and to this great cause. We were thrilled to have the whole team together to support!”
The time had finally come to announce the winners of the talent portion of the competition. “I felt that Scott and I did really well, but we performed first, and we definitely had some talented dancers who followed,” Eve said. “When they announced that we had won, I was ecstatic, and definitely relieved! After accepting the trophy, I got to spend the rest of the night on the dance floor with my family and friends.”
The evening was one to remember, and reminded guests that philanthropy can be both joyful and impactful. Funds raised through this inaugural event directly support Methodist Services’ wide range of initiatives. Dancing for Dreams was more than a night of entertainment. It was a celebration of resilience, generosity, and the shared belief that when a community comes together, it can help turn even the most difficult circumstances into stories of hope.