The La Porte County Family YMCA sure knows how to throw a party!
For the 3rd year in a row, The La Porte County Family YMCA hosted their “Dancing Like A Star” dinner to raise money for their scholarship fund. On Friday, people came together for the 'British Invasion' themed event to have a great time, see great dancers, and raise some serious funds.
The Scholarship Fund aids the community by helping families send their kids to summer camp, allowing families to send their kids to swimming classes, or to after school care, or even helping arthritis sufferers attend helpful fitness classes.
La Porte County Family YMCA CEO, Cindy Berchem, said 100 percent of the proceeds would go to the Scholarship Fund. “It ensures that everyone is able to participate in YMCA programs and have YMCA memberships.”
The night began with cocktails, mingling and a silent auction. A live auction was held later in the evening. Everyone took the British Invasion theme to heart, from a group dressed as the Spice Girls to the dancers using music from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Berchem was happy to see the event finally take shape after so much planning. “We’re so excited! This is a record breaking crowd. We have a lot of great people here tonight. We’ll have a lot of fun, see some amazing dancers, and raise a lot of money for the YMCA!”
“We’re so excited! This is a record breaking crowd. We have a lot of great people here tonight. We’ll have a lot of fun, see some amazing dancers, and raise a lot of money for the YMCA!”
Radio star Ric Federighi, Master of Ceremonies for the evening, loved to see the support at Dancing Like A Star. “I’m really excited for the fact for the fact that they're raising a lot of money and they’re really making a difference in all of the programs the Y offers. It’s great to the see the community all coming together. “
Jenny Craig-Brown, a dance competitor, was nervous to perform in front of a crowd, but admits she did it all for the Y. “I love the Y, I love the programs they put on, and they’re so important to the community. That’s my main driving focus right now, to do this for them.”
Joy Zigler, who danced to The Rolling Stones was happy to see everyone's efforts pay off. “It’s been a long time coming, a lot of hard work but it’s for an awesome cause and about the evening. And just to see everyone dance, I know they’ve put a lot of work in.”
Throughout the evening, ten couples danced, people cheered and held up signs, and a few people won some wonderful auction items. The event had over 660 people and raised over $71,000.
Four couples took home special trophies. Angie Nelson Deuitch received the Big Bucks Winner Award for raising the most money. Joy Zigler took home the Spirit Award for having the most creative and energetic supporters! The people's choice winner was Jess Denger. The Judge's Choice Award, goes to the best dancer and that night it was Katie Janieski.
The event was sponsored by NIPSCO, Meridian Title Corporation, Don and Cindy Berchem, Blue Chip Casino, Franciscan Health-Michigan City, X and Judge Gartland, La Porte Jaycee’s, Newby Lewis Kaminski & Jones, Sage-Popovich, Inc., TTKN Gives, as well as many others.
The YMCA is sponsored by Qubit Networks, Horizon Bank, Larson-Danielson Construction Company, 1st Source Bank, General Insurance Services & Hastings, Mutual Insurance Company, Dr. Charles and & Rita Hagenow, Matthew Frank Moore Foundation.
Dancers included: Dr. Kyle Antos, Jenny Craig-Brown, Jess Denger, Angie Nelson Deuitch, Katy Gartland, Chief Deputy Ron Heeg, Katie Jasnieski, Mayor Blair Milo, Anthony Novak, and Joy Zigler.
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