CHRIS LOWREY
SHAWVILLE Aug. 4, 2018
More than 100 people were at the Shawville Recreation Association Hall on Aug. 4 to dance up a storm and raise some money for a worthy cause in the process.
The dance was held to raise funds for the Villa James Shaw project – a proposed seniors care facility in Shawville.
The dance is in its third year and has already raised more than $20,000 for the project. Organizers were hoping that this year’s event could add another $10,000 to that tally.
The event was sponsored by the Shawville Rotary Club and all proceeds will be donated to the Villa James Shaw Project.
The event featured the Des Allen Band, who churned out country songs as well as some classic rock ‘n’ roll.

At the front of the hall stood a silent auction table with more than 30 items up for grabs.
“We’ve had good support from our merchants,” said Villa James Shaw board member Bill McCleary.
Although the organizers expected a healthy crowd of about 150 people to come to the dance, they sold more than 300 tickets.
Organizers said the main reason for the large number of ticket sales was due to this year’s door prize valued at $1,800. An anonymous donor contributed a trip for two to the Niagara Festival of Lights from Dec. 3-5, courtesy of Jamieson Travel & Tours.
“With the door prize, people bought more tickets,” said board member Larry Coleman.
The Villa James Shaw Committee is in the midst of a membership drive. While it’s not hard to get people to become members, the club has been having trouble getting people to renew existing memberships.
“It’s not hard to get a membership but it’s hard to get renewals,” McCleary said.
The Villa James Shaw committee is currently waiting on the completion of a feasibility study, which is set to wrap up Aug. 31.
The original plan was for the villa to have the capacity for about 25 people. But organizers were told by various levels of government that it would be easier to secure funding for a larger project.