“Dancing Like the Stars,” a fundraiser for first responder mental health resources, was held Saturday at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Center.
Just like on the hit TV show, dancers and lifeguards paired up to show off their moves.
Recent events in South Florida have highlighted the need for increased PTSD awareness for frontline workers and first responders.
“Hopefully we can raise enough money and help people. That’s what it’s all about,” said Richard Ramirez, a retired Miami-Dade Fire Department worker.
Events like this, he says, come close to home and Ramirez has been the dance competition emcee since he was just 10 years old.
Emergency services students attended the event to show their support.
“We are here supporting Miami-Dade Fire Chief Willy Williams,” said emergency services student Andres Vargas. “Looking forward to seeing him perform, get a big score and support him. He is our teacher, we just want to see what he has.”
There was even an impromptu dance from five-year-old Adrian, who wasn’t afraid to show off his best robot dance moves.
Ramirez says the cause is much needed after the Surfside tragedy last year.
“Champlain’s collapse caused a lot of emotions,” Ramirez said. Feelings that first responders have to deal with all the time because it was so close to home.”
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