Dancing with the Shuswap Stars 2023 sets new fundraising record
City Dance co-owner Heather Stranks and Salmon Arm GM’s Ian Gray, who were the overall winners for the All-Star category, perform a slow foxtrot to the theme from the Pink Panther. Photo credit - Kristal Burgess Photography
Media Release
The 2023 Dancing with the Shuswap Stars was a smashing success, breaking all previously recorded fundraising amounts for the event since it started in 2016.
This year’s gala evening exceeded all expectations, raising more than $80,000. All proceeds from Dancing with the Shuswap Stars support the Shuswap Hospice Society, as their single-largest fundraiser for the year.
The programs of Shuswap Hospice provide free care and support to the sick, dying and grieving residents of the region. The society’s programs are run entirely through fundraising efforts.
Renee and Justin Brien, who won the Rookies division, perform a bachata. Photo credit - Kristal Burgess Photography
The evening, which is modelled on the Dancing with the Stars TV show, includes watching local celebrity dancers volunteer to perform a ballroom dance routine. Their supporters purchase star votes to help boost them into winning position.
This year’s online star sales had dancers posting spectacular fundraising numbers well before the event night. “Fundraising starts as soon as we announce the dance candidates in June, and they take their role very seriously,” says Cecilia Yap, fundraising coordinator for Shuswap Hospice and Chair of the volunteer organizing committee. “Our dancers work incredibly hard to raise funds on their own, and then get their supporters out to the event for that final push to raise funds in hopes of winning one of our trophies. We can not thank this year’s group of dancers enough for pushing our fundraising to new heights,” Yap added.
Will Fazan and Lenette Zieber danced a medley themed to James Bond theme Live and Let Die. Photo credit - Kristal Burgess Photography
This year’s dancers included rookie dancers Jack & Cappi Bowers, Josephene Juell & Scott Hutchison, Justin & Renee Brien and Will Fazan & Lenette Zieber, along with All-Star dancers Ian Gray, Bonnie Vandevosse, Natalie Parent and Missy MacKintosh. The All-Stars were paired with professional instructors, sponsored by Jens Goerner and Heather Stranks, owners of City Dance.
The organizing committee is also incredibly grateful to everyone who supported this event − from the sponsors to the volunteers, right down to everyone who bought a star vote for their favourite contestant or came out to enjoy the party at the SASCU Recreation Centre. “It is truly heartwarming to see the community of the Shuswap step up to keep our programs operating,” says Yap.
Scott Hutchison channels his inner Ted Lasso with his spouse Josephene Juell as they performed a quickstep. Photo credit - Kristal Burgess Photography
Plans are already in the works for the 2024 Dancing with the Shuswap Stars event, which will take place at the SASCU Recreation Centre on Saturday, November 16, 2024. If you are interested in participating as a dancer, please email Tracy Hughes, an organizing committee member, at thughes7@telus.net
