LUMBERTON — The Robeson County Shrine Club wants people to shake a leg during its annual Valentines Day dance so that “child can walk.”

If you don’t have a ticket, it’s not to late. They will be available at the Southeastern North Carolina Agricultural Events Center on U.S. 74 in Lumberton, where the dance will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday. They cost $25 each. Only people ages 21 and older are invited.

There will be food and people can bring their own beverages, and The Mark Roberts Band out of Myrtle Beach, S.C., will provide the music.

“We’re hopeful we will sell all the tickets before the dance,” said Ricky Ward, a Shriner who helps organize the dance. “If we do, nobody will be turned away at the door. As many people that want to attend is how many tickets we will sell.”

This is the 30th year the dance has been held by the Shriner’s — and the mission has remained the same.

“We want to entertain the community for the benefit of the children,” Ward said. “Mostly we want to raise funds to assist us in our efforts to aid the burned and crippled children.”

Last year the dance raised $11,000 before expenses, and the Shrine Club is hoping that figure will be larger this year.

“It’s hard to believe it all started with a record player and a few Shriners,” Ward said. “Today it’s one of our highlight events that we look forward to all year long.

“… It’s going to be a lot of fun for the community. Hopefully we get to raise a lot of money for the children.”

To date, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children have helped nearly 1 million children 18 and younger, providing services for burns, orthopedic disabilities, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and pallets for children up to the age of 18. There are currently 38 children from Robeson County who benefit from the club’s efforts.

To purchase a ticket or for information, call Ward at 910-738-7000 or Dayton Wilson at 738-9860.