United by their passion for dance and giving back to their community, Zanesville’s Dancing Divas are a little over a week away from their biggest fundraising events of the year, Dancing with the Divas.

Local “celebrities” who’ve been working with the Divas will make their public debut showing off the new dances they’ve been rehearsing in order to raise money for charities of their choice.

This year, Cory Roush of the Muskingum County Library System is participating for the first time benefiting the United Way of Muskingum, Perry and Morgan Counties.

Roush said his partner, Sarah Cultice, has been very patient with him as he learns how to dance.

“We’ve had a lot of fun, and we’re looking forward to kind of putting it together now here in the last few weeks and putting on a good show for everyone,” said Roush.

Throughout the past seven years of hosting Dancing with the Divas, the group has raised more than $240,000 with the goal of reaching $300,000 this year.

“We are so pleased to be able to help the charity of the celebrity dancer’s choice,” said Dancing Diva, Anne Agin.

Along with their Dancing with the Divas event, the Divas also participate in several other outreach programs throughout the year.

Each week, members of the group teach tap dancing at the Muskingum County Center for Seniors. Agin said seniors from age 60-91 participate in the group called “Platinum Performers.”

“They haven’t lost it, either. I hope that I am able to participate in a senior tap class somewhere when I am 91,” said Agin.

The Dancing Divas also help the younger dancers in the area by providing funding for those who can’t afford costs associated with dance such as lessons, costumes and shoes.

When they’re not helping the community, the Divas are helping each other get better at what they do.

The group’s youngest member is 19 years-old, and the oldest member is 71 years-old.

“These girls are like sisters. Age is just a number,” said Sharon Rodocker, the 71 year-old of the group. “We just all get along. We’ve been through weddings and funerals and births. We share everything together.”

Rodocker began dancing at Marjorie and Butch’s School of Dance in downtown Zanesville in 1949, and has been dancing there ever since. She only took time off to start a family.

After two hip replacements, Rodocker still makes it to rehearsals each month, keeping up with women 20 years younger.

“I hurt all the time, but when I dance, it’s like the adrenaline kicks in and you feel no pain,” said Rodocker.

CheyenneFrank, the group’s youngest member who has danced her whole life, joined The Dancing Divas after graduating high school. Her mother was a former member of the group, so she felt comfortable dancing with women who could be her mother or grandmother.

“I’ve basically grown up with all of them around,” said Frank.

Rodocker and Agin said Frank helps keep them up to date on all the latest dance and makeup trends.

“She helps us look good and shows us the latest makeup techniques,” said Rodocker. “When we’re looking rough, she gets us all spruced up.”

The Dancing Divas has 22 members and has been in existence for nearly a decade. They specialize in Broadway, tap, lyrical and jazz style dancing.

In its 8th season, the show begins July 28 at 8 p.m. at EagleSticks Golf Club. Tickets for the show are still available at EagleSticks or online at The Dancing Divas’ website.