Dancin� benefit raises $3,800 for crash victims

by Anthony Glassman

The summer heat moved indoors on September 8 as the Dine and Dance benefit for victims of the July 29 drunk-driving crash at Dancin� in the Streets took over the Edgewater VFW hall.

Around 200 people turned out for the event, which featured the Cleveland Kings and Girls, Bella Sin, Nancy Marcus, Seafair, Anthony Covatta and DJ Hunnie Kiss. The night raised over $3,800 after expenses, which will be donated to the victims and their families.

The night made Dancin� in the Streets� darkest hour a little brighter. On July 29, Timothy Spock drove through the street festival�s barricades at Clifton Boulevard and West 117th Street, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to several more. Police say he was intoxicated.

Mitchell Andelmo died the next day, and Basil Bass passed away on August 1. Andelmo�s girlfriend Constance Pokorny was hospitalized, and Kevin Lett was released after being treated.

The fundraiser was organized by Pink Flash Productions and community members Heather Hamilton, Tia Rachten, Rachel Barnett, Jennifer McGraw, Michelle Delozier and Kristen Shumaker.

�We first met the Tuesday after the fatal tragedy on July 29 at Dancin� in the Streets,� said organizer Carly Mesnick, who served as emcee and DJ under her stage name. �We decided we wanted to stand out and bring the community together to raise money to help the victims and families.�

A dozen companies and organizations, ranging from Sweet Melissa�s and Fountain Studios Marketing to HRC Cleveland and WH2, sponsored the event.

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