‘Dancing With the Stars’ recruiting talent

Dancing With the Stars planning committee meets at La Cabana to hash out the details of the upcoming fundraiser. In this picture (front row, left to right): Lisa Ledford, Richmond County Hospice Business Development Coordinator; Joan Beane; (back row) Lynn Clewis; Carolyne Ussery.
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The Dancing With the Stars committee has been meeting regularly since April, planning the next Richmond County Hospice fund raising extravaganza.

“Last year’s Dancing With the Stars was such an overwhelming success, we’re very excited about doing it again this year,” said Lisa Ledford, Richmond County Hospice Business Development Coordinator.

$15,000 was raised last year, and event organizers are hoping for another huge hit.

“All the money raised goes to patients and families being served by Richmond County Hospice,” said Ledford. “We are the only local, non-profit Hospice in the county.”

The committee is lining up “A Taste of Richmond,” spreads from several restaurants, to be served at the event. A wine tasting is also a possibility.

Tickets to attend the event are $60 per couple, or $35 for single tickets.

“We had a pretty packed house last year,” said Ledford. “People had so much fun they were asking us when the next one would be, as they were on their way out the door.”

This year’s event will be held on November 5, at Cole Auditorium.

There is no entree fee for dancers, but each team pledges to raise funds from sponsors.

Last years winners were Kimberly Harrington and Bruce Stanback, who did the Salsa to Pitbull’s song, “I Know You Want Me.”

“We had a fantastic time,” said Harrington. “I’m a big fan of the TV show, ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ so when I was approached to participate, I didn’t think twice. Bruce and I had one professional Salsa lesson and then created our own routine. It was thrilling to win the disco ball trophy, especially since it was for a good cause. My first experience with Hospice was with my stepfather in 1995. The concept of Hospice was new to us, but my family grew to appreciate the nature of the agency and developed close ties to the staff that have lingered through the years.”

A few of the contestants confirmed for this year are: Dr. Fred McQueen, and Layla Mabe - who are signed up to Tango; John and Sharon Hutchinson; Amy Simmons; and Susan Sellers.

“There are several more on the list who aren’t confirmed yet,” said Ledford. “And we are still recruiting!”

Any style of ballroom dancing is permitted in the contest. This includes dances like: Tango; Waltz; Rumba; Samba; Mambo; Foxtrot; and Cha Cha.

“Sharon Nichols, with Liberty Place, offers dance lessons to couples who want to participate,” Ledford said.

For more information on the event, contact Lisa Ledford at 910-997-4464.

Staff writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com

Source Kelli Easterling

Posted in cha cha , Dancing With the Stars , dancing with the stars 2011 , dancing with the stars recruitment , Foxtrot , Mambo , Rumba , Samba , tango , Waltz