Dancing With Our Stars Raises $18,000 for Girl Scouting in Southern Illinois

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois raised more than $18,000 during its 8th Annual Dancing With Our Stars (DWOS) fundraiser at Krieger’s Convention Center at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon on Saturday, Aug. 06. Dance team The Hocketts, sponsored by Higgins Custom & Collision, took home the Mirror Ball Trophy for first place. Mt. Vernon High School Drama Club, sponsored SSM – Good Samaritan Hospital, won the Judges Choice award.  See Photo Album

Also participating were the dance teams of: Drama Mammas, sponsored by Jill Gobert; Lesa Woods, sponsored by Larry and Bobbie Drury; Carolyn and Dean Montague, sponsored by Ron and Paulette Schneider; Centre Stage Sparklers, sponsored by Centre Stage Studios; Double Trouble, sponsored by Higgins Custom & Collision, Anna Lamczyk, sponsored by Lamczyk Veterinary Clinic, We Are Girl Scouts, sponsored by Carla Nilson; and L & M sponsored by Olympic Freightlines, Inc.

“What a wonderful night during our 8th Annual Dancing With Our Stars,” said Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer. “We are so grateful to everyone who participated in and supported this year’s DWOS fundraiser,” said Appoo. “Everyone from our DWOS committee, to our dancers and the generous Mt. Vernon community helped make this fundraiser very successful.” According to Appoo, funds raised during DWOS will help Girl Scouts continue to develop leadership programs for girls, maintain and improve its camps and help out-reach to at-risk girls.

Co-hosts for the event were Brandon Bullard with RARE Chop House and NRE and Rachel Hunsell with with Mt. Vernon Convention and Visitors Bureau. Celebrity judges were Mike Beard with Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce; Kay Zibby Damron, Rend Lake College Foundation; Finny Mathew of Crossroads Community Hospital; and Mary Beth Mezo with Smokin’ T’s Competition BBQ.

Teams competed to win DWOS’ Mirror Ball Trophy by earning the top spot in a two part scoring system. The judges’ scores provided the first element to the dancers’ scores. The second element added a dash of audience participation and even more excitement, as dancers accrued points with donations from their supporters and attendees at the event. 

Other DWOS sponsors included: Trophy Sponsor: Crossroads Community Hospital; Cocktail Hour Sponsor, Mathis, Marifian & Richter LTD Attorneys at Law; Silent Auction Sponsor: First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, Dance Floor Sponsor, NRE; Judges Sponsor, Provision Eyecare and Country Financial – Sarah Staley; Premier Sponsor for Wine Grab, RARE Chop House; Premier Radio Sponsor, WDML; Fred and Tammy Klapetzky, DJ; and Krieger’s Convention Center at Holiday Inn. 

Table Sponsors included: Higgins Custom & Collision; L. Woods & Company; Peoples National Bank; Litton Ambulance; SSM Health; Jax Asphalt Company; and Anchor Garden & Rental Center.

Other donors included: Carla Nilson, Susan Bowman, Speakeasy Liquors – Marion, Pheasant Hollow Winery, United Way of South Central Illinois, Just for You, Angela Boyd, Amy Sample and Jill Gobert.

Teams competed to win DWOS’ renowned mirror ball trophy by earning the top spot in a two part scoring system. The judges’ scores provide the first element to the dancers’ scores. The second element added a dash of audience participation and even more excitement, as dancers can accrued points with each donation from their supporters. 

All proceeds from DWOS will be used to provide financial assistance, to maintain and improve GSSI camps and to develop Girl Scout leadership programs for approximately 13,000 girls throughout southern Illinois.

2016 Dancing With Our Stars Special Guests

We're getting so excited for DWOS to be here! Here is a list of special guests scheduled to attend!


Judges:

Mike Beard -Executive Director Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Finny Mathew - Chief Executive Officer at Crossroads Community Hospital Mary Beth Mezo – Retired Mt. Vernon Township High School Teacher (Still active with the High School Drama Club)

Kay Zibby-Damron - Kay Zibby-Damron, Vice President of Operations, United Methodist Children's Home Hosts/ MC:

Brandon Bullard – RARE Chop House & NRE

Rachel Hunsell - Marketing Executive at Mt. Vernon Convention & Visitors Bureau Dancers: 

Lora, Riley and Mike Hockett
The Drama Mammas (From Salem Community Theater)
Tricia Higgins & Kelly Jansen
Anna Lamczyk Centre Stage Dancers from Centre Stage Studios
Lesa Woods (also doing solo performance) & McKayla Coleman
Dean and Carolyn Montague
Mt. Vernon Township High School Drama Club
Mt. Vernon Girl Scout Group

A HUGE thank you to our sponsors as well! See all sponsors along with additional sponsorship information on our website, www.gsofsi.org.

Dancing With Our Stars Raises $21,000 for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois

2015 Dancing With Our Stars Winner The Bollywood Twisters

 

 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois raised more than $21,000 during its 7th Annual Dancing With Our Stars (DWOS) fundraiser at Krieger’s Convention Center at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon on Saturday, Aug. 22. Dance team The Bollywood Twisters, sponsored by Kaushal Pediatrics, took home the Mirror Ball Trophy for first place. Carolyn and Dean Montague, sponsored by Paulette and Ron Schneider, won the Judges Choice award.  See Photo Album

 Also participating were the dance teams of: Centre Stage Dancers, sponsored by Centre Stage Studios; Devin Riley and Kara Bachelor, sponsored by Poppy’s; Mt. Vernon High School Drama Club, sponsored by Candy and Fred Isberner; Lesa Woods, sponsored by Larry and Bobbie Drury; Sister Suffragettes, sponsored by Centre Stage Studios; The Hocketts, sponsored by Higgins Custom & Collision; Drama Mamas, sponsored by Diane and Rick Siemer; and The New Evolution, sponsored by National Railway Equipment Co.

This is the second time the Bollywood Twisters participated in Dancing With Our Stars. Gauri is a freshman at University of Missouri Kansas City in a 6-year medical program. Younger sister Priyanka is a Mt. Vernon High School freshman. Their parents own Kaushal Pediatrics Services LTD in Mt. Vernon.

 “What a wonderful night during our 7th Annual Dancing With Our Stars,” said Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer. “We are so grateful to everyone who participated in and supported this year’s DWOS fundraiser,” said Appoo. “Everyone from our DWOS committee, to our dancers and the generous Mt. Vernon community helped make this fundraiser very successful.” According to Appoo, funds raised during DWOS will help Girl Scouts continue to develop leadership programs for girls, maintain and improve its camps and help outreach to at-risk girls.

Co-hosts for the event were Brandon Bullard with RARE and Bria Ashby with Community First Bank. Celebrity judges were Mike Beard from The Insurance Store, Joe Gliosci with Peoples National Bank, Finny Mathew of Crossroads Community Hospital and Mary Beth Mezo with Smokin’ T’s Competition BBQ.

 

2015 Dancing With Our Stars Judges

Teams competed to win DWOS’ Mirror Ball Trophy by earning the top spot in a two part scoring system. The judges’ scores provided the first element to the dancers’ scores. The second element added a dash of audience participation and even more excitement, as dancers accrued points with donations from their supporters and attendees at the event.

Other DWOS sponsors included: Trophy Sponsor: Crossroads Community Hospital; Vote Tabulation Sponsor: Community First Bank; Silent Auction Sponsor: First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, Premier Radio Sponsor, WDML; Fred and Tammy Klapetzky, DJ; and Krieger’s Convention Center at Holiday Inn.

 

 

Judges Choice Award Winners Carolyn & Dean Montague

All proceeds from DWOS will be used to provide financial assistance to at-risk girls, to maintain and improve GSSI camps and to develop Girl Scout leadership programs for nearly 14,000 girls throughout southern Illinois.

Interview: Brandon Bullard, Dancing With Our Stars Co-Host

Interview by GSSI Intern Nicolle Patton

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.”

 

NP:

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.

 

 

 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Dancing With Our Stars Raises $17,000 for Girl Scouting

 

 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ Dancing With Our Stars event was held Aug. 23 at Krieger’s Convention Center in Mt. Vernon. The event raised more than $17,000 while local dancers competed for the coveted mirror ball trophy. This year’s winner was The New Evolution (sponsored by National Railway Equipment Co.), while Lesa Woods (sponsored by the Woods family) took home the Judges Choice award.

Other dance teams and sponsors included:  

Dan & Neth Huelbel sponsored by St. Mary’s Good Samaritan

Mt. Vernon High School Sailors from South Pacific sponsored by Mike Beard, Candis Isberner, Newell Furniture, David Overstreet and Stewart Producers

Centre Stage Studios sponsored by Centre Stage Studios

Salem Community Theatre Spamalot sponsored by Ashdon Farms, Bella Chez and Jefferson County Fraternal Order of Police

 

“What a wonderful night during our 6^th Annual Dancing With Our Stars,” said Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer.  “We are so grateful to everyone who participated in and supported this year’s DWOS fundraiser,” said Appoo. “Everyone from our DWOS committee, to our dancers and the generous Mt. Vernon community helped make this fundraiser very successful.”  According to Appoo, funds raised during DWOS will help the Girl Scouts continue to develop leadership programs for girls, maintain and improve its camps and help in its out-reach to at-risk girls. 

Co-hosts for the event were Brandon Bullard from Rare Chop House and Lynn Hutchison from United Way of South Central Illinois.  Celebrity judges were Mike Beard from The Insurance Store – a Division of Diamond Bros., Joe Gliosci with Peoples National Bank, Finny Mathew of Crossroads Community Hospital and Mary Beth Mezo with Smokin’ T’s Competition BBQ.   

Teams competed to win DWOS’ the Mirror Ball Trophy by earning the top spot in a two part scoring system. The judges’ scores provided the first element to the dancers’ scores.  The second element added a dash of audience participation and even more excitement, as dancers accrued points with donations from their supporters and attendees at the event.  Following the dance competition, guests then took to the dance floor for an evening of music and dancing. 

Additional DWOS sponsors included:

Trophy Sponsor:  Crossroads Community Hospital

Vote Tabulation Sponsor:  Community First Bank

Judge Sponsor: National Railway Equipment Co.

Dance Floor Sponsor: Crossroads Physician Corporation
Premier Radio Sponsor: WDML
Special Giving Sponsors: Bennett Metal Products, Inc., Continental Tire, MidCountry Bank, St. Mary's Good Samaritan

Other DWOS supporters: Associated Lumber, Brenda Breeze, Sandy Evans, Dan and Linda Hoffman, Hughey Funeral Home, ISB Insurance Agency - A Division of Diamond Bros. Fred and Tammy Klapetzsky, Krieger's Convention Center at Holiday Inn, Morning Sentinel, Mt. Vernon Register News, David Nichols, WVYN - 90.9 The Vine.

GSSI Seeking Dancers for Dancing With Our Stars Event in Mt. Vernon

 

 

GSSI is seeking a few more dance routines for our upcoming Dancing With Our Stars gala being held in Mt. Vernon on Saturday, August 23rd. Soloist, partners and group routines are welcome. Those who participate compete for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. Past routines have included lyrical jazz, Bollywood, clogging, ballroom and Zumba. If you are interested in more information on how to participate please contact Emily Kimmey at 618.692.0692, ext. 1144.

Save the Date for These GSSI Events

 

 

25th Annual Girl Scout Golf Classic
Monday, May 12, 2014
Gateway National Golf Links -- Madison, IL


 

 

 

Thin Mint Sprint
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Location: Camp Chan Ya Ta -- Worden, IL

 

 

Dancing With Our Stars
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Holiday Inn -- Mt. Vernon, IL


For more information, please contact Director of Development Emily Kimmey at 800.345.6858, ext. 1144 or e-mail ekimmey@gsofsi.org.

Dancing With Our Stars Raises $14,500 for Girl Scouting in Southern Illinois

The New Evolution, sponsored by National Railway Equipment Co
accepts the DWOS Mirror Ball Trophy

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ raised $14,500 during its 5^th Annual Dancing With Our Stars (DWOS) fundraiser at Krieger’s Convention Center at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon on Saturday, July 27. Approximately 200 people attended the event and the dance team called The New Evolution earned top honors and took home the coveted DWOS Mirror Ball Trophy.  The New Evolution dance team was sponsored by National Railway Equipment Company.  Also earning special recognition as the Judges Choice Award was Kristin Crain sponsored by Stewart Producers, Inc.   Debi Richardson from Crossroads Community Hospital presented the DWOS Mirror Ball Trophy to the winning team.  See photos

Dance teams competing for the coveted DWOS Mirror Ball Trophy:

YMCA Zumba; sponsored by YMCA of Jefferson Country

The Bollywood Twisters;  sponsored by Kaushal Pediatric Services, Ltd.           

Cadence Cloggers; sponsored by Rent One

The New Evolution; sponsored by National Railway Equipment Co.

Kristin Crain; sponsored by Stewart Producers, Inc.

PCD Mix; sponsored by Bennett Metal Products, Inc

“What a wonderful night of competition and dancing during our 5^th Annual Dancing With Our Stars,” said Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer.  “We are so pleased and grateful to everyone who participated in and supported this year’s DWOS fundraiser,” said Appoo. “Everyone from our DWOS committee, to our dancers and the generous Mt. Vernon community helped make this fundraiser very successful.”  According to Appoo, funds raised during DWOS will help the Girl Scouts continue to  develop leadership programs for girls, maintain and improve its camps and help in its out-reach to at-risk girls. 

Co-hosts for the event were Jo David Cummins with Community First Bank of the Heartland and Brandon Bullard from Rare Chop House.  Celebrity judges were Mike Beard from The Insurance Store, Joe Gliosci with Peoples National Bank and Mary Beth Mezo with Mt. Vernon Township High School.   

Teams competed to win DWOS’ the Mirror Ball Trophy by earning the top spot in a two part scoring system. The judges’ scores provided the first element to the dancers’ scores.  The second element added a dash of audience participation and even more excitement, as dancers accrued points with donations from their supporters and attendees at the event.  Following the dance competition, guests then took to the dance floor for an evening of music and dancing. 

     

This year’s DWOS sponsors included:

Trophy Sponsor:  Crossroads Community Hospital

Vote Tabulation Sponsor:  Community First Bank

Silent Auction Sponsor: Old National Bank

Dance Floor Sponsor: Crossroads Specialty Clinic

Judge Sponsor: Rare Chop House

Exclusive Radio Sponsor: WDML

Table Sponsors: 

Enterprise Rent-a-Car

Peoples National Bank

Dance Sponsors:

Bennett Metal Products, Inc.

Kaushal Pediatric Services, Ltd

National Railway Equipment Company

Rent One

Stewart Producers, Inc.

The YMCA of Jefferson County

Special Giving Sponsors:

St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Inc.

Continental Tire

Other DWOS supporters:

Fred and Tammy Klapetzky

Just For You Designs, Eileen Twenhafel

Krieger’s Convention Center at Holiday  Inn

Mt. Vernon Register News

All proceeds from DWOS will provide financial assistance to at-risk girls, to help maintain and improve GSSI camps, and to develop Girl Scout leadership programs for girls throughout southern Illinois.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves 14,000 girls and 4,800 adult volunteers in more than 40 counties in southern Illinois. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. Girl Scouting is focused on providing a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls in the 21st century, while ensuring the traditions and values that have been core to Girl Scouting since its beginning remain strong and relevant. Currently GSSI is celebrating its 100^th Anniversary of Building Leaders for America.