Can’t join us on September 17 but still want to support McGinley Strong? 💗☘️
You can still be part of our mission! Please use the link below to make a donation and help us support local breast cancer patients through the ☘️🩷McGinley Strong Campaign🩷☘️.

Every donation makes a difference. Together, we are McGinley Strong! 💗☘️

McGinley Strong: Kicking Cancer’s Butt 💗☘️

In 2026, our commitment to giving back became more personal than ever.

On March 17—St. Patrick’s Day—our beloved Miss Annie McGinley, teacher, sister, friend, and an integral part of the McGinley School of Irish Dance family, was diagnosed with Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer.

Since that day, Annie has faced her battle with incredible strength, determination, grit, and grace. And, just as our McGinley community has rallied around so many others over the years, it was now time to rally around one of our own.

From that love and determination, McGinley Strong was born.

Together, We Are Kicking Cancer’s Butt!

McGinley Strong is about more than supporting Miss Annie through her cancer journey. It is about taking something incredibly difficult and turning it into an opportunity to help others.

Our dancers, families, friends, local businesses, and community partners are coming together to raise awareness and funds to support breast cancer patients right here in our local community.

On Thursday, September 17, 2026—exactly six months after Annie’s diagnosis and on ½ Way to St. Patrick’s Day—the McGinley School of Irish Dance will host our McGinley Strong: Kicking Cancer’s Butt ½ Way to Paddy’s Day Benefit.

The date is especially meaningful, as September 17 also marks Annie’s final scheduled chemotherapy treatment before the next stage of her journey.

½ Way to Paddy’s Day — Kicking Cancer’s Butt

📅 Thursday, September 17, 2026
📍 Pizza Boy Brewing / Al’s of Hampden
☘️ ½ Way to St. Patrick’s Day
💗 100% of proceeds benefit local breast cancer patients through the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation

In partnership with Pizza Boy Brewing Company and MixedUp Productions, we are turning ½ Way to St. Patrick’s Day into a celebration with a purpose.

Expect plenty of Irish spirit, McGinley dancers, music, food, drink, community, fundraising, and, most importantly, an opportunity to make a difference for individuals and families affected by breast cancer.

Our dancers are once again putting service into action by participating in the McGinley Strong Service Project, raising funds and helping make this special event a success.

Stronger Together

For more than 25 years, McGinley dancers have learned that being part of our school means more than learning how to dance. It means supporting one another, serving our community, and stepping up when someone needs us.

This year, those lessons have taken on an entirely new meaning.

We dance for Miss Annie.

We dance for those currently fighting.

We dance for the survivors.

We remember those we have lost.

And we come together to help make the journey a little easier for the next person who hears the words, “You have cancer.”

We are McGinley Strong.
Together, we are Kicking Cancer’s Butt. 💗☘️

Giving Back to Our Community

At the McGinley School of Irish Dance, we believe Irish dance is about much more than the steps we teach in the studio. It is also about community, connection, and using our talents to make a difference.

Giving back has long been an important part of the McGinley tradition. Our dancers proudly share their love of Irish dance at community celebrations, festivals, charitable events, and other special gatherings throughout Central Pennsylvania. Beyond performing, our dancers are encouraged to take an active role in community service and fundraising projects that benefit those in need both locally and beyond.

Over the years, McGinley dancers have raised nearly $7,000 for CURE International and more than $10,000 for the American Literacy Corporation (ALC). Through these efforts, our dancers have helped provide life-changing surgeries for children in other countries and supported literacy and cultural programs for students in underserved communities.

Our commitment has extended beyond fundraising. During a service trip to the Mississippi Delta in 2010, McGinley dancers helped bring literacy and cultural assemblies to school districts that otherwise may not have had access to these programs. Our dancers also collected and purchased notebooks, markers, crayons, and other school supplies—enough to provide materials for approximately 1,400 students we had the privilege of visiting.

These experiences teach our dancers lessons that reach far beyond the dance floor: compassion, generosity, teamwork, gratitude, and the importance of serving others.

At McGinley, we are proud to develop not only strong Irish dancers, but young people who understand the value of being part of something bigger than themselves.

A Tradition of Service

Community service has been woven into the fabric of the McGinley School of Irish Dance for many years. Our dancers have repeatedly come together to support families, fellow dancers, and communities facing extraordinary circumstances.

Supporting Our Irish Dance Community

In 2012, our dancers chose to direct their service efforts toward members of the Irish dance community who were facing tremendous loss. The Hirten School of Irish Dance on Long Island, New York, was devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

Determined to help, McGinley dancers partnered with the American Literacy Corporation to co-produce and perform in a Happy Noon Year’s Celebration Show at the Forum on New Year’s Eve Day. They also completed nearly 55,000 Jump 23s as part of their annual Jump Off.

Together, their efforts raised an incredible $5,030, which was donated to the Hirten School to assist with rebuilding and recovery.

Dancing in Memory of Liam

In 2014, our dancers once again rallied around an Irish dance family—this time, a family in Ireland grieving the heartbreaking loss of their 10-year-old son, Liam, to cancer.

Before his passing, Liam had been granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation to travel to Disneyland Paris with his family. Sadly, Liam passed away before the family was able to make the trip.

Our dancers raised funds to help Liam’s parents and four young siblings make that journey in his memory, giving the family an opportunity to be together, honor Liam, and celebrate his life.

Helping the Flemming Family

In 2016, our dancers turned their efforts toward the Flemming family as Scott Flemming battled ALS.

McGinley dancers raised $4,000 to help the family complete an addition to their home so that Scott could return home to his wife, Melissa, and their 4-year-old son, Brody.

It was another powerful example of what can happen when our dancers, families, and community come together for someone in need.

Recognized for Making a Difference

Our commitment to service has also been recognized beyond the walls of our studio. In 2010, Lena McGinley and the McGinley School of Irish Dance were honored with the Wally Amos Award for Outstanding Community Service.

While we are incredibly proud of that recognition, the greatest reward has always been giving our dancers opportunities to discover how their talents, hard work, and compassion can positively impact the lives of others.

At McGinley, service isn't simply something we do—it's part of who we are.