Flash mobs to diabetes: “Beat It”

A flash mob performs to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” during the Oak Harbor Chamber’s Business After Hours at the Greeenhouse. The effort was meant to help “beat diabetes” during Diabetes Awareness Month. Dancers include (front row): Caitlin Pratt, Braeden Carpenter, Dennis Holloman, AOC USN, Chris Grovdahl, Nora O’Connell-Balda, Veronica Spencer; (center row): Erick Harada, Teri Gardner, Shelley Lampman, Barbara Thelen, Christa Hill, Lieutenant USN; (back row): Sami Ellig, Rose Freitas, Laurell Brault and Kathi Phillips. - Contributed photo
Contributed photo
A flash mob performs to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” during the Oak Harbor Chamber’s Business After Hours at the Greeenhouse. The effort was meant to help “beat diabetes” during Diabetes Awareness Month. Dancers include (front row): Caitlin Pratt, Braeden Carpenter, Dennis Holloman, AOC USN, Chris Grovdahl, Nora O’Connell-Balda, Veronica Spencer; (center row): Erick Harada, Teri Gardner, Shelley Lampman, Barbara Thelen, Christa Hill, Lieutenant USN; (back row): Sami Ellig, Rose Freitas, Laurell Brault and Kathi Phillips.

November 30, 2011 · Updated 1:55 PM 

A group of enthusiastic dancers, including several military personnel, performed a surprise “flash mob” Nov. 17 to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” as a fun and interactive way to inspire people to “Beat It-Diabetes” during the Oak Harbor Chamber’s “Business After Hours” event at the Greenhouse Florist and Nursery.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and the flash mob was the brainchild of Veronica Spencer, RN. As a health coach with Take Shape for Life, a health and wellness company, she helps people lose weight, which reduces their risk of diabetes and other obesity-related diseases. She created the flash mob and YouTube ideas as a community project of a Landmark Education course.

Co-leader, Laurell Brault, Captain USN (Ret.), was instrumental in gathering Soroptimists, Zumba dancers, and others from the Oak Harbor area to participate.

Melissa O’Neill made the video for YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXCZyP9OqrA.

 

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