Have you ever wanted to make a difference in someone’s life?

Stop waiting and go party on sixth street promenade Saturday, October 3rd, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., as the Dancer Love Foundation presents its sixth annual Quincy Glow Row event.

The Dancer Love Foundation raises funds to empower individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities through fitness, education, and love.

The Row Raiser (Row Glow), is a community event and challenges teams of 10 to pull the fastest marathon row, 26.2 miles.

The first-ever Row Raiser was founded in 2015 by QTown CrossFit owners, Sam and Jenny Dancer.

During that year alone, they raised $10,000.

Ever since, the event has experienced exponential growth and has increased the annual goal to more than $100,000.

The proceeds from the event are used to help those that live their daily lives with varying degrees of physical and cognitive disabilities.

“This event is significant because it not only raises awareness for those in the community with disabilities, but it also helps raise money for these individuals to enhance their quality of life,” Josie Eriksen said.

Eriksen is a student-athlete pursuing Special Education at Quincy University and has spent the last three years working for an organization in Northern Illinois called NISRA (Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association).

Eriksen has a deep background for kids with special disabilities with her mother being a special education teacher at Crystal Lake South High School, in addition to growing up alongside her younger cousin who has Cerebral Palsy.

“From my past experiences, I’ve always been passionate about acceptance for everyone regardless of their disabilities,” Eriksen said.

This is the first year Eriksen gets to contribute and help organize this special event.

In the passenger seat also helping out is QU football player Jaredd Williams.

The two of them have been buzzing around town advertising for the event and trying to partner with local stores.

“Right now we’re going to businesses and seeing if they want to donate, not just money, but any type of contributions so that the community can get involved and it also lets them know what we’re doing here at QU,” Williams said.

Williams believes drafting a team and being involved within this event could benefit student-athletes at QU while serving as a spotlight on their athletic squad.

“It goes to show that QU is bigger than sports here and that we like to support foundations like these to help transform and impact these Special Olympic athletes,” Williams stated.

In order to compete in this event, the price to pay is $50 per person/$500 per team.

“Anyone looking to get involved in the community and make a difference that’s bigger than themselves should participate in this event,” Eriksen said. “Not only is it for a good cause, but it will be a good time!”