Holly Ingle is a Zumba instructor and she teaches at her church at White Springs Baptist Church. On March 17, she will hold a Zumba class to help raise money for church member John Hicks, who has Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Ashville’s Holly Ingle is taking that story to heart.
Ingle, 25, is trying to raise encouragement and support for a family in her church, White Springs Baptist Church in Rainbow City. She is hoping to raise funds for the family through her Zumba class she teaches at her church.
“This family is going through a hard time right now,” Ingle said. “His name is John Hicks, and he was diagnosed last year with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
ALS affects the nerve cells in the body that control muscle movement. Ingle said in Hicks’ case, it has caused him to become completely paralyzed but his brain is fully functional.
“It has been hard for our church family to deal with, but especially difficult for his wife and daughter,” Ingle said. “I hope this Zumba class can help raise awareness of the disease. Most people are not very familiar with ALS, and the effect that it can have on a person.”
Ingle said 75 percent of the proceeds from the Zumba class would go directly to “Augie’s Quest,” an organization that initiates research toward developing a cure for this disease. “These donations will be made in honor of the Hicks family,” Ingle said. “But more than anything else, I think this event will be especially helpful in bringing encouragement and support to this family during such a troubling time. John’s daughter, Ariel, loves Zumba, and she is really excited about this event.”
Ingle said she is glad God has opened a door for her to be able to help them by doing something that she love and enjoys doing.
“I had been thinking for a while about how our community could unite to help them, and this opportunity basically fell in my lap,” Ingle said. “It makes me feel wonderful to be able to do anything to help, but this event isn’t about me at all. It’s about helping raise awareness and support for the Hicks family.”
This event will be at White Springs Baptist Church in the gym on Saturday, March 17, from 5:30-8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. This includes the cost of snacks, drinks, and chances to win prizes.
Ingle has been a licensed Zumba instructor for the past year.
“Zumba is so much fun,” she said. “It’s a great way to burn calories — sometimes around 800 per class. I love making up my own Zumba routines and teaching them to my students.
“It’s also a great way to meet new people. I enjoy seeing people reach their weight-loss goals, and it’s so fulfilling to know that I have a part in helping them.”
For more information, call the church at 256-442-2638.
Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.
