Zumba Co-Founders, Beto Aghion, Beto Perlman, Beto Perez

Augie & Lynne Nieto give thanks for $210,000 support

Beto Perez leads ALS Zumbathon in SF

When Zumba founder, Beto Perez comes to town, Zumba instructors & their students, flock to party with him Zumba-style.  Last Thursday, March 17th, as part of IHRSA San Francisco, a fitness industry trade show, Beto energized 1,000 Zumba enthusiasts by leading salsa, merengue, cumbia, Bhangra & reggaeton routines, as well as performing his own version of Michael Jack’son’s Beat It.  Accompanied by live percussionists and his own team of dance specialists, Beto motivated the crowd to shake, shimmy & strut their stuff both on & off the stage to create his magical, spicy blend.

The party had the added purpose of raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Augie’s Quest, a charity, named for Augie Nieto, stricken with ALS in 2005.  Surprisingly, Augie who is now completely immobile from the disease, appeared on stage, with his wife, Lynne by his side.  They were presented with a donation of $210,000 from Beto & his partners & co-founders, Beto Perlman & Beto Aghion.

Augie Nieto of Southern California, after overcoming the shock & grief of finding out he had ALS, used his entrepreneurial know-how to create his charity, to streamline the research process and focus on discovering treatments that might help stave off the effects of the disease, & ultimately to find a cure.  ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), aka Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive and devastating disease that destroys the nerve cells controlling muscles, ultimately causing complete paralysis.

Augie, aided by high tech equipment graciously thanked us for our support, while bringing tears to our eyes and a thrill to our hearts.