Annual SMU benefit dance raises $17,000 for Geheren family

Approximately 650 people danced to the Johnny Holm Band during this year’s Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance March 28 at Saint Mary’s University.


Money raised at this year’s Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance will help SMU alumni Bill and Mia Geheren of Huntley, Ill., purchase a handicapped accessible van for their family. The Geheren family includes, from right, Bill, Tommy, Charlie, Michael and Danny; Mia is not pictured. Nikki and Taylor Richmond (the benefit’s namesake), at left, joined the activities.

WINONA, Minn. — About 650 people attended Saint Mary’s University’s ninth annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance on March 28.

Proceeds from the dance — and a silent auction held on campus — raised approximately $17,000 for this year’s beneficiaries, Bill and Mia Geheren of Huntley, Ill., and their four children. Their three adopted children were born addicted to cocaine; one child is addicted to heroin and meth as well. Money from the benefit dance and silent auction will help the family purchase a handicapped accessible van.

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 and her husband Nick Richmond, both of Cochrane, Wis. 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 Katie LaPlant, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, 700 Terrace Heights No. 1471, Winona, MN 55987.