Dance Academy Keeps Promise to Student's Late Mother

Whenever you saw Kim Pipala, you saw her three children, said Kate Scarpetti, performance company director at

Pipala's devotion to her children was so strong that while she was struggling with breast cancer, she continued to volunteer at Stage Door, her daughter Alexis Safstrom's creative outlet for the last six years.

Although Pipala lost her battle with cancer in December 2010, it was ensured that Alexis would be able to continue dancing at her "second home." Scarpetti said that promise will stand until Alexis turns 18 years old.

The Oak Forest dance studio raised $16,000 last year through a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A subsequent fundraiser was planned for the foundation, but with Pipala's death, plans changed.

"When something like this happens so close to home … it just made sense," Scarpetti said.

A charity dinner dance will be held in Pipala's honor on Thursday, Aug. 4 at Georgio's Banquets in Orland Park. Alexis will be among the dancers and will also perform a solo.

There will be a silent auction and raffle auction. Among the list of prizes up for bidding will be White Sox tickets, donated handmade baskets and a timeshare in Florida. All of the proceeds will go to the Safstrom Education Fund, which Stage Door established to help Alexis and her two brothers, Kiel and Tyler, with their future college plans.

"She gets more than dance lessons here," Scarpetti said of Alexis. "She has so many role models here. It was our promise that Alexis would always have the gift of dance at Stage Door. If we can do that, then that's the least we can do.”

Charity Dinner Dance at Georgio's

• Thursday, Aug. 4
• Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner served at 6:45 p.m., dance show at 8 p.m.
• Tickets: adults ($55), children (12 and under) $25
  
• For more info, contact Kate Scarpetti at (708)687-7418 or kate@stagedoordanceonline.com