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.