Valentine’s Day’s all about love, but it’s not always about romantic love. That’s because there’s always time to give family some love. Some fathers and daughters in Centre County got to spend some family time on Sunday, at the YMCA of Centre County’s Daddy Daughter Dance.
“I think the opportunity to spend time with our daughters anytime is a good time,” Scott Collins, Payton’s father, told 6 News.
The Centre County YMCA has hosted the Daddy Daughter Dance for over 20 years now. It’s always a chance for fathers and daughters to don their finest suits and tutus, while dancing to some fun music and trying to win prizes.
“I hope I win a raffle!” said Amelia Kirby, who’s seven-and-a-half years old.
All of this was to benefit their local YMCA’s charitable programs, with YMCA Community Outreach Director Jamie SanFilippo
“It goes right back into supporting families in the community and providing them with scholarships to attend the YMCA in our various programs, so no one is turned away from the Y due to [an] inability to pay. And this event helps with that.”
This event is one that’s been on families’ calendars for a while. The Kirby’s say they’ve waited years.
A giddy Amelia Kirby recalled asking her dad, Joshua, if they could go, “And we got into this just in time. And guess what! When we got in, there were 40 spots, but now it’s sold out. I’m glad we got a spot!”
“Every time we go to the YMCA,” Collins mentioned, Payton would ask him, “When’s the Daddy Daughter Dance gonna happen?”
About 250 dads and daughters turned out, even if that meant missing the pre-game festivities.
“Let’s give a lot of credit to all the dads coming out on Super Bowl Sunday to spend time with daughters,” said Collins. “I mean, what an awesome opportunity this is.”
You can always DVR a game but not family memories.
“I think it’s really important for little girls to have a positive male role model and to be able to celebrate that.”
“I think it’s really important for little girls to have a positive male role model and to be able to celebrate that.”
