In case you missed it…… Let’s get ready to RUMBAAAAAAAA!
March 24, 2013 Leave a comment
Dancing with Our Stars 2013 Fundraiser Sets Event Record
February 25, 2013 1 Comment
Betina and Donald Driver with their matching mirrorballs.
The 5th Annual Dancing with Our Stars for the American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin exceeded expectations, with record fundraising and increased awareness to programs and services. Together, with the amazing efforts of our nine celebrity dancers, our sponsors, and with the support of the community, we raised $370,000 in net revenue to support Red Cross programs and services in our community. This year’s event was held on Saturday, February 23 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay.“Here at the American Red Cross, we are truly humbled by the outpouring of community support received through the “Dancing with Our Stars” event,” said Steve Hansen, Regional COO and Chapter Executive. “Saturday night, the entire event concluded with the entertainment and demonstration of dancing skills by our nine stars, but the real event started more than four months ago, when our dancers made the commitment to raise funds to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross.”
Hansen also said, “Along with the outstanding support from our sponsors and community, the dancers poured everything they had into this event by generously volunteering their time and talent to make this event a huge success. On behalf of the American Red Cross, thank you for bringing compassion and hope to those in need!”
Thank you to our sponsors including: Oneida Nation of Wisconsin; Kimberly-Clark; Festival Foods; Schneider National Foundation; Jack’s Maintenance; Broadway Automotive; The Green Bay Packers; MillerCoors and Masters Gallery Foods. We also thank our media partners of WBAY-TV2, WIXX and the Green Bay Press-Gazette for their promotional support.
Our dancers definitely put their best foot forward to entertain and dazzle a sold-out crowd of 770 guests. The evening began with dinner and followed with our all-star dance program where each celebrity performed two dances. The night concluded with the awards ceremony.
Taking away the top honors for the Mirror Ball Fundraising Trophy was Betina Driver. The wife of former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver raised $155,000 to support the local Red Cross.
To view additional photos from the event visit our Northeast Wisconsin Facebook page.
Taryn Oleson and Patrick Warpinski, dancing a quickstep to “Rolling in the Deep” sung live by his daughter, Lashawnda Warpinski.
The People’s Choice award for showcase one went to Pat Warpinski and Taryn Oleson for their Quickstep to “Rolling in the Deep.” People’s Choice award for showcase two went to Mary Gronnert and Michael Witte for their Jive to “Girls Gone Wild.”The Judges’ Choice award went to Betina and Donald Driver for their two performances: A Tango to ‘Too Close” and a Rumba to “Endless Love.”
Special thanks to Cami Rapson and Chris Roth of WBAY-TV 2 for serving as masters of ceremonies and to Jesse Baumgart, Kimberly Larsen and Christopher Mangless for their professional and colorful judging commentary.
Thank you to all our star dancers for their time, commitment, energy and passion: Todd Bierowski, President/Owner, Décor Lighting Sales, Asst. Football Coach, St. Norbert College; Rick Bondowski, Senior Vice President, Regional Retail Director, Associated Bank; Betina Driver, Co-host, “The Better Half”; Mary Gronnert, Foundation Coordinator, Schneider National Foundation, Inc.; Emily Matesic, Reporter, WBAY-TV 2; Sean Sanders, Grocery/Frozen/Dairy Director, Festival Foods; Amy Sehring, Community Supporter; Erica VanBoxel, Green Bay Press-Gazette Magazine Editor; Pat Warpinski, Owner/Veterinarian of The Animal House; and Rane Cegelski and Taryn Oleson from DanceSport of Green Bay; Jamie Keyzer, Jay Morth, Taylor Watry, Michael Witte and Alyssa Zellner from Simply Ballroom of Green Bay; and Terry Irwin from TC Dance Club International of Appleton.
Thank you to our committee, volunteers and most of all the community for supporting your local American Red Cross of Northeast WI.
Rane Cegelski and Erica VanBoxel, Waltz to “White Fantasy”
Alyssa Zellner and Rick Bondowski, Cha Cah to “Please Don’t Go”
Michael Witte and Mary Gronnert, Jive to “Girls Gone Wild”
Jay Morth and Amy Sehring dance the Viennese Waltz to “After the Fall”
Emily Matesic and Jay Morth dance the East Coast Swingt to “Morse Code of Love”
Jamie Keyzer and Sean Sanders dance tango to “Promavera Portena”
Taylor Watry and Todd Bierowski dancing the Cha Cha to “International Love”
Betina and Donald Driver dance the rumba to “Endless Love”
Dancing With Our Stars competition in full swing
February 6, 2013 Leave a comment
Written by Maria Amante Press-Gazette Media
Mary Gronnert-Kollross and ballroom dance instructor Michael Witte practice their jive routine Monday for the upcoming Dancing With Our Stars. The event is a fundraiser for the American Red Cross of Northeastern Wisconsin. The two worked on their jive and waltz routine at Simply Ballroom in Green Bay. / Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media
Even though Green Bay Packers receiver Donald Driver is officially announcing his retirement today, it’s not the last Green Bay will see of him, his wife, or his dancing.Driver’s wife, Betina, is one of the local celebrities competing in this year’s Dancing With Our Stars, an event that supports the American Red Cross.
Donald Driver took home the mirror ball trophy last year on the 14th season of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” Those dance moves will again be on display as Donald will be Betina’s dance partner at the event.
“The addition of them has added a new element, a new public interest,” said Shawn Kiser, special events coordinator for the American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin. “Unless you get to know the people dancing, public interest might not be that high.”
Kiser acknowledged the Drivers’ star power, but said their celebrity doesn’t necessarily mean Betina has the mirror ball trophy in the bag.
“Without a doubt, there’s an actual contest for fundraising,” he said. “The Drivers bring star power, they can leverage their star power, but that doesn’t mean you can discount the other contestants. I wouldn’t call this a runaway by any stretch of the imagination.”
He said Sean Sanders, who works for Festival Foods, had fundraising efforts in stores, selling cookies and other items to support his effort, and Rick Bondowski, who works at Associated Bank, has many employees pulling for him.
The experience has been a challenge on many levels, said Mary Gronnert-Kollross, one of the dancers and foundation coordinator for Schneider National Foundation Inc.
Gronnert-Kollross said she’s learned patience, concentration and focus — all while learning how to dance.
“It’s been a great experience, anyone who has the opportunity should just do it,” she said. “You never know if you’re gonna need the Red Cross. It’s important to give back.”
Each dancer has worked since October on two dances to be performed Feb. 23 at the event. Each person will practice at least 30 hours before performing, in addition to fundraising.
Gronnert-Kollross will dance with Michael Witte, a ballroom dance instructor, and owner of Simply Ballroom, 1296 Velp Ave., a Green Bay dance studio. Witte has worked with the event for several years and choreographed many of the performances
“It’s really rewarding,” Witte said. “I love being a part of that night.”
The person who raises the most money between now and the end of the event will be awarded the mirror ball trophy. All funds raised support disaster prevention, preparation and relief, the life-saving training of first aid, CPR/AED classes, collection and testing of blood and blood products, support to military members serving around the globe, the transportation program and international programs.
Prizes are also awarded for dancing: a people’s choice for each dance and an overall judge’s choice award.
Even if they’re not attending the event, people are able to “vote” for their favorite dancer by making a donation. Donations can be made on the Red Cross website via credit card or by sending a check to the group’s office at 2131 Deckner Ave., Green Bay, and indicating which dancer the funds are to support.
Check out Mary and Michael’s JIVE!!!
January 9, 2013 Leave a comment
Get to know Mary Gronnert – Foundation Coordinator, Schneider National Foundation, Inc.
November 27, 2012 Leave a comment
photo courtesy of Frievalt Photography, llc
Mary Gronnert is the Foundation Coordinator for the Schneider National Foundation, Inc. Mary has been employed with Schneider National for 39 years and prior to being names foundation coordinator she was the administrative assistant to Don Schneider.
Get to know a little more about Mary:
Describe your first dancing recollection. About how old were you and what was the occasion? My mother seemed to think at the age of 6 I needed some coordination and self-esteem. She enrolled me with Mary Jane VanDyse who taught tap and ballet dancing along with baton twirling in the basement at the Bank of Luxemburg. If you remember Mary Jane, she was the Packers Golden Girl in the 50’s and 60’s. Lessons were held in the late afternoons once a week. At the end of the session (I can’t remember how long a session lasted) we performed our routine(s) on stage at the Bay Theatre. Some of the mothers, grandmothers and aunts were great seamstresses and they made us some very elaborate costumes. My favorite dance was the Skater’s Waltz.
Who is your dream dance partner? I really don’t have a dream dance partner. A good partner would be someone who could just glide across the room.
Who is your favorite dancer of all time on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and why? I have to apologize here. I really did not watch ‘Dancing with the Stars” until this past year. So, I would have to say Donald Driver because he’s so much fun to watch and extremely charming. And who can resist that smile?
Why support the American Red Cross with your participation? Until hearing a presentation from our local American Red Cross several years ago, I associated them with holding area blood drives and providing babysitting instructions. I learned that the Red Cross does a lot more. They provide disaster relief. We are fortunate in our part of the country in that we don’t have to worry about hurricanes or earthquakes – but we have no idea when we could experience a fire, flood or tornado. The Red Cross is always available to assist with food and shelter and they work well in partnership with other area agencies that provide disaster services. This collaborative approach has always impressed me, as does their assistance for military families coping with deployments and emergency situations. Yes, they still have a babysitting course but in addition, they hold CPR classes and offer first responder training. Because they are not a government agency, they operate with volunteers and our generosity to continue their mission.
Hobbies or passions:
I love to spend time with my husband cruising the countryside in our restored 1969 Firebird convertible and, when there is room and time, pack up the golf clubs and cruise to a golf course. And, of course, there’s the grandchildren, they are the best! Working for the Schneider National Foundation has introduced me to a number of not-for-profit organizations and, being able to work part-time, I have become involved with many volunteer activities. I have been very fortunate and feel strongly about giving back to the community where I live and work.
Check out Mary and Mike practicing their Waltz!
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