Prevent Child Abuse Henry will soon be hosting their Second Annual Dancing with the Stars of Henry County event, a star studded evening featuring local celebrities performing choreographed dances all in support of the efforts of a local organization.
On Saturday, February 29 at 6 p.m. at the Locust Grove Event Center, nine couples will dance their hearts out to be crowned the ‘Mirror Ball Champions.’
Each of the couples that participate in Dancing with the Stars of Henry County event is dedicated to the cause of Prevent Child Abuse Henry and willingly donate many hours to learn their respective dance routines, host fundraisers and invite guests to the event.
“Their dedication to this event means the world to us. They are dancing, putting themselves out there, they are raising money for us, they are inviting friends and family to contribute money and they are putting all of their time and effort into this event, so we could not have this event without them,” said Robin Jones, Coordinator for Prevent Child Abuse Henry & First Steps.
Warren Nesbit and Lynn Lowrey are just two of the many contestants that are passionate about the Prevent Child Abuse Henry cause and were more than willing to participate in this year’s Dancing with the Stars event.
“I think a lot of the Prevent Child Abuse Henry effort. I just thought it was an outstanding thing for me to get involved in,” said Nesbit. “I really believe in what those folks are doing and I felt that I might reach out and push the envelope and see what I can do to raise some money.”
Lowrey felt similarly but stated, “I was not as aware of the programs we have. It’s really made me more aware of the opportunities we have to prevent child abuse here in our own county. As for my part in this fundraiser, I couldn’t say no at all. I am just really proud to be a part of something to combat that. I almost feel guilty having so much fun dancing [for the cause].”
Antoinette Paragon-Singh, Family Service Coordinator for the Parenting Matters program, says that many of the contestants are venturing outside of their comfort zone and often describe themselves as having ‘two left feet,’ so learning a dance routine is no walk in the park. Especially as each individual is paired up with a ‘stranger.’
“None of them are professional dancers. They are learning how to hold themselves in a different way to be able to dance and remember a dance routine that they are not accustomed to,” said Paragon-Singh.
The Giselle DiBlasi School of Ballet and Upstage Dance Center dedicate many hours and their expertise to bring these couples up to speed and create a dance routine for that evening in the following categories: Jazz, Musical Theater, Street Funk, Contemporary, and Swing.
“We have our big reveal in September. That is when they learn who their partners are going to be, what dance studio they’ll be at, as well as what type of dance they will perform,” said Jones. “The dance studios we work with are amazing. They devote a lot of time and energy to this event.”
In an effort to get used to their dance routine and convert the steps to muscle memory, Nesbit and Lowrey practice their routine each day.
“We’ve never danced together before. I’ve always loved to dance but other than Zumba or Jazzercise, that was the extent of my training. But Warren and I, we did a pinky swear that we would practice [our routine] twice a day on our own. I try to check in once in a while,” said Lowrey. “There is always the fear you will black out in the middle of your routine. Even if that happened, you just keep going and have fun with it. I think everyone is so supportive. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to have a good time.”
At the Upstage Dance Center are the following couples:
- Holly Campbell and Don Ash, performing “I Can’t Get Next to You” in the Jazz category
- Nicole Silva and Ivan Gustafson, performing “Fuego” in the Street Funk category
- Lynn Lowrey and Warren Nesbit, performing “Gotta Have Heart” in the Musical Theater category
- Kelly Rose and Rashod Benton, performing “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” in the Contemporary category
At the Giselle DiBlasi School of Ballet are the following couples:
- •Margarita Bauer and Gary Sparrow, performing “Rockin’ Robin” in the Swing category
- Sandra Medert and Steve Alderfer, performing “Better Than You” in the Jazz category
- Sharon Ponder and Jeremy York, performing “Our Last Dance” in the Contemporary category
- Julie Carder and Anthony Ford, performing “Any Way You Want It” in the Musical Theater category
- Kenya Cottrell and Jake Carter, performing “Old Town Road” in the Street Funk category
Each couple will have a chance to impress the judges to win a variety of awards, to include the Best Musicality award, the Most Entertaining award, or the Best Showmanship award.
The dancers will also have the opportunity to be crowned the Everyday Hero Champion.
“All of our dancers have set up an Everyday Hero account, which is like a GoFundMe page, that they are sharing on Facebook and with their friends so that people can vote for them. Every dollar is a vote,” said Jones. “So, they are helping us raise money in that way.”
The Fundraising Champion award will be given to the individual that has raised the most money.
The event is nearly sold out, and roughly 240 guests are expected to attend, plus volunteers.
Jones said that last year’s sold-out event went “really well,” and that they raised around $30,000.
“Our goal is to exceed that amount this year,” said Jones.
A portion of the proceeds raised at this event will benefit Prevent Child Abuse Henry’s Parenting Matters Program, which began in 2019 after receiving funding from the First Annual Dancing with the Stars of Henry County event. At the moment, the only funding for the program comes from that event.
The Parenting Matters program is for Henry County residents that have a child ages 0-5 or a pregnant woman in her 3rd trimester. The program helps to provide parenting skills to individuals. These services are offered at no charge to the participants.
“This program is about helping them to be the best parent they can be,” said Paragon-Singh. “I go into their home and provide them with parenting skills. I talk to women about nurturing themselves, relationships, child brain development, alternative discipline methods, and the importance of communication between spouses children.”
The rest of the funding raised from the Dancing with the Stars of Henry County event will benefit Prevent Child Abuse Henry, a citizen-based organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect in all forms.
Prevent Child Abuse Henry leads the community coalition “Paint Henry Blue” to raise awareness about child abuse and prevention; offers the “Darkness to Light” program, a child sexual abuse prevention training for local citizens and employees; and the “First Steps” program that offers support, parenting education and referrals to community resources to new parents.
The Locust Grove Event Center is located at 280 Mose Brown Dr. in Locust Grove.
For ticket availability, contact Robin Jones at robin@preventchildabusehc.org.
For more information about Prevent Child Abuse Henry or Dancing with the Stars of Henry County, please call 678-697-8500 or visit www.preventchildabusehc.org.
