For Immediate Release                                                                           For more information, contact: 

July 20, 2026                                                                  KristinJensen@sunyorange.edu / 845-341-4471

Dance for Scholarships with SUNY Orange Foundation
Inaugural Dinner-Dance Fundraiser, Saturday, September 19, at The Powelton Club Live Music by Hurley Mountain Highway
Tickets & Sponsorships Available – All Are Welcome

NEWBURGH, NY – Break out your dancing shoes and get ready to join SUNY Orange Foundation for an evening of live music, delicious food, and great fun while supporting scholarships and other student success initiatives for SUNY Orange students. The Foundation’s inaugural Meet Us on the Dance Floor fundraiser will be held Saturday, September 19, at The Powelton Club in Newburgh.

SUNY Orange alumni Dr. Michele Winchester-Vega and Felix Vega are chairing the Dinner-Dance Committee. The pair met while attending Orange County Community College and participated in Student Senate together, each serving a term as Senate President.

“OCCC is a special place for us,” said Dr. Winchester-Vega. “It’s where Felix and I began our lives together and launched our educational journeys. Today, we’re grateful for a beautiful family, successful careers, and an amazing and supportive community. We’re happy to be able to pay it forward to help future generations of students. Felix and I are grateful for the family, friends, and colleagues who have joined us in our many philanthropic efforts over the years, like the Dinner-Dance event for SUNY Orange. It’s going to be a great evening,” said Dr. Winchester-Vega.

Meet Us on the Dance Floor will feature live music by Hurley Mountain Highway, one of the region’s most popular party bands playing the best of the ‘60s, 70s, and beyond. Attendees will enjoy a sumptuous dinner buffet at one of Orange County’s premier private clubs and have the opportunity to bid on an array of curated raffle and live auction items, including a trip to Antigua, a visit to the luxurious Inness Spa, and a diamond tennis bracelet.

Tickets to attend are $125 per person or $1,100 for a table of 10. Sponsorship and journal advertising opportunities are also available. Complete event details and online purchasing options are available at www.sunyorangefoundation.org/meet-us-on-the-dance-floor or by contacting the SUNY Orange Foundation at 845-341-4179.

Top sponsors who have already generously committed to the event are: Diamond sponsors: Kidz4Causes/Winchester-Vega Family, Dr. Sharen & Mr. James Casazza, Platinum sponsor: Dryer Law, and Gold Sponsors: CSARCH, Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Rowley Family Foundation, and Walden Savings Bank.

“We’re so excited to be working with Dr. Michele and Felix on this new event and are so grateful for their generosity and support,” said Kristin Jensen, Executive Director of SUNY Orange Foundation. “They lead with passion and heart, they’ve assembled an amazing committee to ensure this is going to be a fun, successful, evening, and they’re SUNY Orange alumni. Together, we’ll raise critical resources that help students achieve their educational goals. It’s a winning combination,” added Jensen.

The Vegas, along with daughter Natasha, have a long history of generous community engagement. In 2007, when Natasha was in 7^th grade, she founded Kidz4Causes to cultivate the next generation of philanthropists and support not-for-profit organizations, especially those focused on children’s issues. Together, they’ve raised several million dollars for local charities.

Funds raised through Meet Us on the Dance Floor will support scholarships, emergency assistance, and other student success initiatives. For many students, this support can make the difference between staying enrolled and completing their degree or putting their educational aspirations on hold. Last year, the Foundation distributed more than $500,000 in scholarships and $45,000 in emergency assistance.

Space is limited and reservations are required to attend. Don’t miss out on an evening of dining and dancing for student success. To make your reservation, visit www.sunyorangefoundation.org/meet-us-on-the-dance-floor or contact 845-341-4179.

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The SUNY Orange Foundation supports SUNY Orange in transforming lives through education by building strong alumni and community partnerships that generate resources to advance student success.

 

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