With August approaching, that means it’s the tail end of the summer season and that school will shortly be back in session, but it also means that the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ annual Dancing With Our Stars event is around the corner!
This year’s event will be held on Saturday August 22nd at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon Illinois. This year will be the 7th year Girl Scouts have hosted this dancing competition in which the proceeds donated throughout the night go towards the upcoming year to help with new activities, financial assistance, volunteer training and camp maintenance for the 14,000 girls registered in the southern Illinois region. You can see more about the event at GSSI's website, www.gsofsi.org.
I recently spoke with one of the hosts of this year’s event, Brandon Bullard, who’s the Marketing Director at RARE Chop House located in Mt. Vernon Illinois. I asked him a few questions about the event as well as routines and memories he’s had from past events. Some of his answers were nothing short of hilarious.
 |
| Brandon Bullard & DWOS Co-Host Bria Ashby from Community First Bank |
NP: How long have you helped with Dancing
with our Stars?
BB: “Since day
one, I was on the committee when we started, and was a ‘Dancer’ in the first
year’s show.”
NP: What’s your favorite memory from this
event?
BB: “So many
good ones, it’s hard to narrow. I’d say it was a tie between doing my own ‘routine’
the first year, and also just enjoying the total community support getting
behind this event and supporting Girl Scouts each and every year.”
NP: Why do you help Girl Scouts with this
event?
BB: “They give
me a microphone and no script. Dangerous, but a lot of fun.”
NP: Anything new you’d wish to see at
this event in the future?
BB: “More acts!!
It’s not a professional, choreographed, studio ran event…it is amateurs who
love to have fun, dance, enjoy the music, and like to help a great cause.
Simply put, come out, have fun, show us your fun side and raise some money for
Girl Scouts!”
NP:Do you have a favorite group that
performs every year?
BB: “Yes…the
judges. They crack me up with every review…I find myself having to catch my
breath while the applause is ringing so I can gather myself for the next routine.
I love them all! And they never disappoint!”
NP: Do you hope to continue to help the
Girl Scouts with this event?
BB: “Every year,
no question…yes! My daughter is a Girl Scout and I love the programs and the
foundation that she is building…and I am happy to give back.”
NP: f you had to choose a dancing
partner from the past events, who would they be and why? What dance would you
two do?
BB: “Derrick
Quitsch, our City Inspector…he danced with a blow up doll one year and I really
felt like I could have taken the doll’s place and guided him to victory. The
doll didn’t give him a chance to show his raw theatrical talent and if I could
go back, I would help him show the world his true shining star.”
I’m not sure
what Bullard will say with his free range power of the microphone or if there
will be blow up dolls at this year’s event, but I will say that it’s a
wonderful opportunity to show your support for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois
by buying a ticket ($45 which includes dinner and an entertaining night of
dancing). There are also table sponsorships available for $500 and include a
table for 10 people.
You can also vote for your favorite dancer online and make a small donation that way. Each dollar donated is a “vote”
towards the dancer you select. Either way you can support, big or small, it’s a
great opportunity to help donate to an organization that helps build girls and
gives them wonderful opportunities they wouldn’t find anywhere else.
