Today we shine a spotlight on Margaret Zampini, a dedicated volunteer whose journey with Dance for the Cure (DFC) has been truly meaningful.
Margaret’s connection to DFC began years before she officially joined the organization. “I had been attending the Ribbons of Hope dinner for a few years with friends — and also became a donor — so I knew of the support DFC gave to cancer patients,” Margaret shared. But it was a personal experience that truly galvanized her involvement. In 2013, a dear friend was diagnosed with cancer, and Margaret reached out to DFC on her behalf. “The support my friend immediately received from Co-founder Kathleen Cirioli and DFC, and its impact on her life touched me deeply,” Margaret recalled.
Years later, when a close family member faced a second diagnosis of breast cancer, Margaret decided to get involved. Upon retiring in 2019, she accepted an invitation from DFC Co-founder, Joanne Liscovitz, to visit Basket Central, the lively hub where volunteers design and assemble DFC’s signature gift baskets. These baskets, filled with carefully curated items, are raffled off at DFC's annual Ribbons of Hope fundraiser. “I was immediately drawn to all the love, commitment, and creativity of the 'Basket Genies',” Margaret said, referring to the dedicated team of volunteers who craft the baskets.
Under the mentorship of fellow volunteer Teri Halvorson, and with guidance from veteran genies Judy Craven and Lisa Scalera, Margaret honed her skills in basket creation. One moment that stands out for her was receiving a photo of her laminated name on the wall at Basket Central.
“I was so proud and happy to have become a Basket Genie!” she said with a smile.
Margaret cherishes the camaraderie and laughter she shares with fellow volunteers. Among her favorite memories is a spontaneous moment during setup for the annual Ribbons of Hope dinner at the Bridgewater Marriott. “We started wheeling Judy Craven around on top of one of the wheeled tables as if she was a basket patient — and laughing the whole time!” she recounted.
For Margaret, volunteering is more than just creating beautiful baskets; it’s a way to give back and make a tangible difference in the lives of others. “Volunteering allows me to pay it forward to women in need of support during their breast cancer journey and, in turn, gives me a wonderful sense of purpose,” she explained. She’s witnessed firsthand the profound impact of DFC’s “no pink tape” financial support and draws inspiration from her family member, a two-time breast cancer survivor, and her friend, whose memory she honors through her service.
DFC Co-founder, Joanne Liscovitz remarked, “We are so fortunate to have Margaret as one of our talented basket genies and dedicated volunteers. She sees the bright side in every situation and is a true team player. Her warm smile and kind and gentle demeanor are deeply appreciated by our whole team.”
Margaret’s dedication and contributions have touched countless lives, and her spirit inspires all who work alongside her.
Are you interested in volunteering?
Please visit our Support Us page or contact Joanne or Kathleen directly.
Visit our Volunteers page to see our great team!
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