A meaningful Winona Campus tradition continues this year with the 21st annual Saint Mary’s Benefit Dance, planned for Saturday, April 2, beginning at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium.
Once again, the semi formal dance will feature the Johnny Holm Band and a night of dancing. Additionally, a silent auction will be held March 31 and April 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the gymnasium.
This year’s benefit recipient is Curt Coshenet, Chartwells director of dining services. Coshenet received a double lung transplant on March 27, 2021, after being diagnosed in 2019 with pulmonary fibrosis. Thankfully, about a year after his transplant, he is doing well and gaining endurance every day. Curt has always been so generous to Saint Mary’s students and the rest of the community, and now it’s time for us to return the favor!
Auction items are needed by March 30. If you have a donation, please email Catie Schiltz (cfschi17@smumn.edu), Caroline Cummings (cacumm17@smumn.edu), or Dr. Megan Girtman (mgirtman@smumn.edu).
Tickets for the dance will be $15 for single tickets or $26 for couples, and an online link will be shared shortly. Tickets will also be available the week before the dance in the Toner Student Center entryway over the lunch and dinner hours.
The Saint Mary’s Benefit, although continuing the tradition with a new name, will forever honor the event’s first recipient, Taylor Richmond, son of longtime Saint Mary’s employee, Niki Richmond. Taylor was born with the degenerative genetic disease ataxia telangiectasia, and students planned the first fundraiser in 2001 to fulfill his dreams of visiting Disney World. A meaningful tradition to the Saint Mary’s community, the dance has been held annually, only paused in 2021 because of the pandemic.
