When health officials temporarily shut down her dance studio last month, Oak Harbor ballet instructor Diane Geragotelis didn’t have to go begging for assistance.

Local business owners befriended her and quickly pitched in to help restore a ballet performance that was almost wrecked.

Geragotelis was preparing for a full-scale rehearsal of the ballet “Robin Hood” on May 1 when she discovered The Ballet Slipper was completely sealed off.

“It was so daunting to see this biohazard, contaminated property sign on the door,” Geragotelis said.

The Island County Health Department found trace amounts of methamphetamine inside her Goldie Road studio. It entered through a ventilation system from a neighboring business.

It would take several weeks of testing and cleaning to remove the residue.

“I had to run the rehearsal out of my living room that day,” Geragotelis said.

News quickly spread about Geragotelis’s plight, and local studio owner Dino Rendon made the dance teacher a generous offer. He wanted her to use his studio.

Rendon’s Rhythm of Art Dance Studio on Fidalgo Avenue is L-shaped, and he gave Geragotelis the larger half of the space to accommodate her more than 50 students. They used a curtain as a divider.

“Dino was so nice that he moved some of his classes from weekday to weekends so he wouldn’t disturb me,” Geragotelis said.

Thrive Community Fitness Center offered to let her use their exercise room on Saturdays and Sundays to conduct rehearsals.

Not knowing how long she would be displaced, Geragotelis hired a real estate agent to help her find a place to rent. The agent, Wayne Locke, also happened to be a clown named Jus’ Wally.

When he heard her production of “Robin Hood” was falling apart, he offered to let her use his prop workshop to design a set.

With the help of strangers, the production was coming together.

“These people are totally selfless. It’s absolutely remarkable,” Geragotelis said.

In another week or two, Geragotelis expects to return to her former studio. Crews have cleaned the heater vent and health officials will come in to retest. It will take seven business days to make the transition.

“It’s a long time to be without your livelihood and things your accustomed to,” Geragotelis said. “I’m so grateful to those who have stepped forward.”