(201) Gold Coast March 2016 | Page 39

“We love Fort Lee. To see this town just completely reinvent itself and be a part of that is great. It’s like the sixth borough of New York but it still has a real New Jersey flair.” On Your Feet! COURTESY OF DANCE WITH ME STUDIOS Val Chmerkovskiy busy planning the wedding, he laughs. “No, I’m not planning anything. I’m the help. I’ll do whatever she wants me to do.” Philanthropy is a top priority for both brothers. Maks is one of the creators and directors of Dance Team USA, a nonprofit charity that recruits and trains DanceSport participants. He also launched an art therapy program at Childhelp, a nonprofit that helps abused and neglected children, and supports the work of Alfalit International, which aims to eradicate illiteracy. Val enthusiastically supports several charities dedicated to children and education. As an ambassador for Pencils of Promise, he has helped raise money to build two schools in Ghana. Their success is proof that hard work and