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Laura Romeo Sobel believes that we can all make a difference simply by taking our passions and amplifying them out into the world. And she speaks from experience.
Since she was a young girl collecting coins for a school service project or helping her mom lead her younger sister’s Girl Scout troop, Laura has dedicated her time to volunteering. She continued volunteering through high school, college, and beyond, eventually dedicating her career to public service as White Plains Hospital’s Director of Ancillary Programs and Volunteer Services. Outside of her work at White Plains Hospital, Laura founded an organization called Dance for a Difference. In its short existence of over a year, Dance for a Difference has already lived up to its moniker, making a splash in the Westchester community.
Laura loves to dance and had previously been a Zumba instructor in her spare time. After her son was born, she was eager to return to being active and her passion for volunteering. Laura was inspired to combine Zumba classes with giving back, offering classes free of charge so any donations from participants would go directly to a designated nonprofit. The pandemic foiled the plan, yet her experience of a pregnancy loss in 2022 served as the impetus to “twist the energy into something useful” and bring her vision to life.
Dance for a Difference started with one class intended to raise money for the Maggie Rose Perinatal Bereavement Program. Word quickly spread, and with the support of the community, Laura soon conducted classes almost every Saturday, benefitting a different organization each time – growing from one non-profit to over 25. Dance for a Difference is about more than raising money. As Laura describes, there’s a “trickle-out effect” as class participants learn about the nonprofit they’re supporting with their donation, fostering new relationships between the organization and the donors.
There’s a joy that participants experience during the classes, elevated by the opportunity to connect within the community. Laura says that just as she created Dance for a Difference from where she needed to be uplifted, she hopes she has made a space where others can be uplifted, too.
Laura has been humbled by the growth of Dance for a Difference and is excited to see what it evolves into. For now, she aims to inspire others to use their passion or pain for a purpose. She believes, “If you put out good, it’s going to come back in some way.”
The Volunteer Spirit Awards is our region's premier volunteer recognition event, with an expected attendance of nearly 600 community leaders, business leaders, and elected officials.
Please join us for a celebration of volunteerism and community on Friday, April 12th, at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY.
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