On Saturday, September 13, United Way St. Croix Valley and United Way of Washington County-East surprised unsuspecting visitors at Aamodt's Apple Orchard in Stillwater with a strategically timed flash mob dance to celebrate the fall 2014 United Way Campaign Kickoff.

The United Ways invited the New Richmond, Hudson and Stillwater Area High School Dance Teams as well as board members and community leaders to participate in the event. Lainie Steffen, a local United Way volunteer, selected the music and choreographed the routine, which nearly 100 flash mobbers performed.

"We are so pleased with the turnout for this year's kickoff event," said United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director John Coughlin. "This is a fun way for our two local United Ways to show their cooperation and camaraderie in the community."

"We appreciate the high school dance teams for their energy and enthusiasm to learn the dance moves so quickly. We only rehearsed once together," said United Way of Washington County-East Executive Director Angie Lien. "And of course, we are thankful to all of our volunteers who danced and Aamodt's Apple Orchard for helping to make our kickoff such a great success. We really enjoyed surprising onlookers!"

The flash mob dance was captured on video by Luke Fedie, a local United Way volunteer. To view the flash mob, visit United Way St. Croix Valley's YouTube page at www.youtube.com/user/UnitedWayStCroixVall.