Gina Argano left blue-chip philanthropies in her dust with her spectacular plan to give 600 children in need the Christmas gift of their dreams.
“I made a promise to myself that whatever this child asks for, as long as it exists in this world, I am going to get it,” says the Trump Village fitness and dance instructor who enlisted her family, friends, clients, and associates to participate in her third annual “Gina and her Angels” project, creating an unprecedented holiday experience for youngsters in group homes, homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, and other supportive housing.
“These kids were not used to expecting anything, and for once in their lives I wanted it to be different for them,” says Argano, 34, who delivered some of the gifts to the after-school students she gave free Zumba classes to at a Manhattan shelter, and who fondly called her “Ms. Zumba Lady” for introducing them to the dance-fitness craze.
It was an emotional affair: An 11-year-old girl, who asked for a Christmas tree, discovered a glittering fir bearing her name, complete with decorations and gifts. A young mother of 6-month-old twins was shocked to receive two sets of baby items. A 4-year-old boy who requested a Ninja Turtle received several of the toy figures, a Ninja Turtles outfit, and a computer tablet with a Ninja Turtles cover — all of it gifted in Ninja Turtles wrapping paper.
“It was a Ninja Turtles’ fan’s dream come true,” says Argano, a former elementary school substitute teacher who continues to receive thank you letters for the charitable endeavor.
The Woman of Distinction has made a career out of helping others improve themselves.
She teaches Zumba, boot camp and personal fitness, and dance at three Brooklyn locations, including at her family-run Diva Dance Studio in Bensonhurst where she prepared a competition dance team last year for an appearance on “America’s Got Talent.”
Fitness is more than skin deep for her.
“Looking good is great, but feeling gorgeous is so much more,” says Argano, who named an online fitness apparel company she co-founded Look Good Feel Gorgeous — a message she spreads through her charity work.
She volunteers to help lead record-breaking group fitness classes for the American Cancer Society’s annual Brooklyn Relay for Life benefits — last July’s fund-raiser drew 500 Zumba enthusiasts to MCU Park and raised its share of $100,000 for cancer research — and she assists with annual fundraisers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the Sea Gate Beach Club.
Rosemary Potes worked on the Christmas project and thought the mega-wish list was an impossibly ambitious task, until she saw Argano toil around the clock to accomplish her goal, collecting and wrapping gifts.
“This is when I realized what a gem we have in Gina,” Potes says. “Her soul is proof that the universe has exquisite taste.”
Her astronomical appeal is earthly inspired.
“We rise by lifting others,” says Ms. Zumba Lady.
OCCUPATION: Fitness instructor, dance teacher, personal trainer.
COMPANY: Look Good Feel Gorgeous.
CLAIM TO FAME: I want to be the reason someone smiles.
FAVORITE PLACE: Santorini, Greece.
WOMAN I ADMIRE: My mother Sharon because she is a resilient woman who is always generous with her love, and the epitome of sincerity and generosity.
MOTTO: Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up.
