Annual SMU benefit dance raises nearly $13,500

Annual SMU benefit dance raises nearly $13,500 for La Crosse family

Approximately 550 people danced to the Johnny Holm Band during this year’s Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance March 3 at Saint Mary’s University.






Money raised at this year’s Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance will help Shelly McMahon of La Crosse, pictured at right with three of her four young children. McMahon’s husband died last spring after battling severe depression. The benefit’s namesake, Taylor Richmond, bottom left, and his mother, Nikki, top right, welcomed the McMahons at the event.



WINONA, Minn. — Approximately 550 people attended Saint Mary’s University’s seventh annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance
on March 3.

Proceeds from the dance — and a silent auction held on campus — raised close to $13,500 for this year’s beneficiary, Shelly Kubicek McMahon and her four young children.
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McMahon is a SMU SMU alumna from the La Crosse, Wis., area. Her husband, Sean, also a 1994 alumus of SMU, died last spring after battling severe depression. Shelly is now raising their four young children as a single parent. Both Sean and Shelly were also employees of the university; Sean worked for the De La Salle Language program and Shelly worked in Student Activities.

In addition to raising money to help the McMahon family, planners of the event raised awareness about the disease of depression and how it can be managed through treatment.

This benefit dance has become an annual tradition since it was started by students in 2001 in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of Saint Mary’s Campus Ministry and Student Activities staff member Nikki Richmond. Taylor has a genetic terminal illness called Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) and the money from his benefit was used to fulfill Taylor's dream of going to Disneyworld. Each year this event benefits someone in the SMU community in need.

Donations are still being accepted. To help, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Jason Richter, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, 700 Terrace Heights No. 45, Winona, MN 55987.