The Pantherettes know how to bring a crowd to their feet with a thrilling routine, and during the holiday season they know how to lift up families in need. The Starr’s Mill High dance team recently volunteered with the I-58 Mission to play Santa.

For their annual holiday project, the team blessed a family in need. Each dancer picked an item off the wishlists of two children, then wrapped the item themselves.

“I love that the dance team was so quick to want to help, and the girls enthusiastically jumped in to love this family,” said Pantherettes coach Patt Coleman. “I hope that they take advantage of a way to give back to the kids of our community that may not be as blessed as we are.”

Participating Pantherettes were Camdyn Sweatt, Katherine Sills, Ella Long, Emily Purcer, Lizzie Peebles, Kristina Martin, Wells Almand, Vivian Anderson, Tessa Brown, Naza Bueno, Kayla Foppe, Madison Hand, Carina Jimenez, Emma Newell, and Addison Ransom.

The Pantherettes got connected with I-58 through Jamison Almand, who is the parent of a team member and a coordinator with the mission.

“In 2020, we realized it was going to be a tougher holiday than ever for our folks, so my husband and I decided to rally friends and neighbors to fulfill the Christmas wishlists of our I-58 kids,” said Almand, “This is our third year doing it, and so many people have given so generously to show these kids love at Christmastime. This has served between 110-120 children each Christmas. It is such a beautiful way to show these children that they are known and cared for.”

The I-58 mission in a non-profit service agency based out of Senoia that hosts a free food pantry and clothes closet for families in need. For more information, go to www.thei58mission.org.