The efforts of Dancers for Humanity, working with club promoters, local businesses, and dance companies have now produced consecutive events strongly supported by the salsa community.  The nights both served the selfless purpose of helping those less fortunate.

Dancers for Humanity is a collaborative effort of local salseros whose mission is to bring together the salsa community to support San Diego homeless through collecting multiple essential items needed to survive on the streets. All donations collected will be distributed to the homeless in downtown San Diego on November 5th, and monies raised are promptly funneled to the StoreFront Shelter of the San Diego Youth Services.  In just two events, countless goods have been collected for distribution and over $1,200 raised and donated to the Storefront Shelter. Dancers For Humanity’s plan includes four more events to raise even more money and donations between now and the November 5th distribution date.

Things like this don’t happen overnight, and take a special catalyst and tenacity to materialize beyond the idea and discussion phase.  In this case, that combination of energy and determination came from a local salsero, Dennis Bermeo.

Its not like Dennis has extra time in his hands.  As a Master in Electrical Engineering (MSEE), he somehow balances his professional career at SPAWAR, hours of triathlon training, and an active social life. Somehow, between traveling the globe to install sophisticated telecommunication systems for the US Military, Dennis found time to conceptualize, start and lead Dancers for Humanity.

It all started last November, when in a very selfless act, Dennis and close friend purchased close to $200 of household essential items at a local Costco, made up 30 brown bags and walked the streets to give them to those in need.  “It opened my eyes to poverty in the US, ” he shared in a recent interview.  “As a person, I felt accomplished.  I have two degrees, my own patents, house, car.   Then you realize when you die, you’ll ask yourself ‘What did you do?’  At that time I knew I hadn’t done much and had to give back.  I feel lucky, I’m an immigrant who reached the American Dream.  But you can’t forget where you came from and others who aren’t as fortunate.”

That initial act of giving put a spark under Dennis, he shares “It inspired the idea to do it on a larger scale...If we can do 30 bags, we can do a lot more with the whole community.  I also knew that I wanted to do it with something I love - with Salsa! You get all kinds of people, from all cultures, backgrounds, education, all working toward a common goal of helping those in need”.

Yet, an idea without execution is only an idea, so Dennis got to work.  He mapped out a detailed business plan, identified potential partners, and kicked into gear in June 2011.  It wasn’t all roses in the early stages, when the early concept, at the time called “Brown Bag for the Homeless” was rejected more than once.  He didn’t give up, refined his business plan and started to build his team in a methodical manner.   “I thrive myself on reading people’s energy, I had an idea, and talked to people. My goal was to see who reacted with the most energy and who responds fastest.  I wanted to get those people on my team.” said Bermeo.  As an engineer with a background in project management, Dennis is self-described as structured.  He identified the roles needed, and surrounded himself with key people from different backgrounds.  This included expertise in marketing, accounting, public relations, videography and graphic art. A key member who joined forces with Dennis is Daniela Aguilera. She added significant experience and energy to the genesis of Dancers for Humanity.  “She gave me her unquestioned help and expertise in doing this, helped me structure it.” he said with a tone of excitement “Without Daniela, it would not have happened”.  

The Dancers for Humanity team is now twenty people, all from the San Diego Salsa Community.  “People are working so hard to do all this, the only thing I had to do was to keep them positive and excited.  It amazed me.  I’m blown away by their work”.  An ingredient to their success is the mutual trust and transfer of responsibility through the delegation of ownership.  Each event has a sponsoring venue, an event leader/producer, and individuals who volunteer their time to prepare and run the event.   To keep it fresh and interesting, each event has a theme.  The first event was “Black and White” and included a fashion show auction and last night’s event was “Dance Around the World” with internationally themed dance performances. The event leaders work with the venue promoters to coordinate decoration and show times.  Money is raised through a raffle where donated items such as dance shoes by Gladys Franco, lessons from Majesty In Motion and gift certificates are prizes. In addition, volunteers manage collection bins for donated items.

 

Most important, its working.

“At first it was like little ant legs, then it got camel legs” laughs Bermeo.  Most recently, Dancers For Humanity was added to be a promoted cause during the San Diego Salsa and Bachata Festival, at the Town and Country Hotel September 15-19. That type of endorsement will surely boost the distribution on November 5th.  “I look at myself like a happy jumping guy,” he continued.  Even when travelling, Dennis makes time to email the team to keep them positive and inspired.  Says Bermeo, “Everyone in the salsa scene has supported these events...its not easy, we have great group of people that are working very hard to help people they don’t even know.”

True, but what a success its become under his leadership.

Details to upcoming events can be found on Facebook:

August 30th, Spin Nightclub

September 15-18th, San Diego Salsa and Bachata Festival

September 29th, Alma Latina Social October 22nd, Final Celebration Event

November 5th - Distribution of Goods

For more information on volunteering or how you might do something similar in your city, please connect to Dennis Bermeo on Facebook.