Dancing with Our Stars 2017 Fundraiser Raises Awareness for Local Services and $206,000+!
The 9th Annual Dancing with Our Stars for the American Red Cross held on Saturday, February 25 at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay featured fantastic fundraising as well as spectacular dancing. Together, with the amazing efforts of our star and professional dancers, sponsors, and with the support of the community, we raised more than $206,000 to support Red Cross programs and services in our community.
Taking away the top honor for the Mirror Ball Fundraising Trophy – Team Division was Stacy Stecker and Chelsea Anderson of Team Rock for the Red. They raised more than $66,000 to support the local Red Cross. The winner of the Mirror Ball Fundraising Trophy – Individual Division was Jim Knopf who raised more than $25,000.
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- Fist pump for Jim Knopf and his dance partner Mina Witte.
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- Team Rock for the Red holds their trophies high (l-r) Stacy Stecker and Chelsea Anderson
People’s Choice Champion Award went to Billi Jo Baneck and Michael Witte for their dance to “I Won’t Let Go.” The People’s Choice Runner Up Award went to Ryan Martin and Mina Witte for their Paso Doble to “Kiss the Sky.”
The Judges’ Choice Champion Award went to Kelly Wolff and Terry Irwin for their Rhythm Medley to “One Night Only.” The Judges’ Choice Runner Up Award went to Sarah Larson and Rane Cegelski for their Harry Potter-themed Smooth Medley.
Sarah Larson and Rane Cegelski for their Harry Potter-themed Smooth Medley.
Thank you to our sponsors including: Associated Bank; AT&T; BayTek Games; Broadway Automotive; Festival Foods; Green Bay Packaging; Green Bay Packers; Kimberly-Clark; Nature’s Way; Sanimax; Schneider Foundation, Simply Ballroom, SKB Management, Tundraland and Wisconsin Public Service. We also thank our media partners of WBAY-TV2, 101 WIXX and 94.3 JackFM for their promotional support.
Special thanks to Cami Rapson of WBAY-TV 2 and Shawn Kiser of Rally Man Entertainment for serving as masters of ceremonies and Christopher Mangless, Matthew Rassmussen and Heather Wudstrack for their professional and colorful commentary as judges.
Thank you to all our star dancers for their time, commitment, energy and passion:
- Team Champagne Strut:
- Jennie Sykes – Brand Ambassador, Elevate97
- Jillian Dempsey – Co-owner, The Heel
- Team Culinary Chemist:
- Jyll Everman – Co-Owner/Executive Chef, Gather on Broadway
- Sarah Larson – Quality Control Chemist, Nature’s Way
- Team E-Rock:
- Emily Matesic – Fox Valley Bureau Chief, WBAY-TV
- Adam Rockman – BSN/RN/CCRN, Bellin Health
- Team Rock for the Red:
- Chelsea Anderson – UW School of Medicine and Public Health
- Stacy Stecker – Senior Vice President/Private Banking Group Manager, Associated Bank
- Team Vixens:
- Kelly Wolff – Kimberly-Clark
- Lusine Weitz – Owner, NC Janitorial
The community members competing individually:
- Billi Jo Baneck – Dispatcher, Brown County Public Safety
- Jim Knopf – Sales & Marketing Manager, Servpro
- Dr. Ryan Martin – Professor of Psychology at UW-Green Bay
- Tara Steinhorst – Founder, Colton’s Cure
- Carla Vander Loop – Stylist/Social Media Marketing, LS Boutique
- Woody from 94.3 JackFM – Program Coordinator/On-Air Talent
Also, thank you to our pro dance partners:
Rane Cegelski; Terry Irwin from TC Dance Club of Appleton; Charles Michaels from Arthur Murray School of Dance in Sun Prairie; Jay Morth from Ballroom by Jay; Michael Witte and Mina Witte from Simply Ballroom of Green Bay.
To view videos of the dances click HERE.
Check out our Northeast Wisconsin Facebook Page to view event photos.
Thank you to the event committee, volunteers and most of all the community for supporting your local Red Cross.
Good Luck Dancers – Still time to vote!
Special thanks to Bradley Thalmann of Harle Photography LLC for the awesome poster design. Good luck to all our dancers next week. There is still time to vote – https://www.crowdrise.com/dancingwithourstars/
Still Time to Get Your Tickets to Prom!
DWOS17 Meet our Star Dancers: Tara Steinhorst
I am a mother of four children: Colton (8), Camden (6), Kylin (4), Cooper (almost 2). I am a wife of 11 years to Jeff Steinhorst. My hobbies include raising awareness for childhood cancer, working to build Colton’s Cure Foundation, teaching my children activities like sports and spending time with my family. My passion is truly to raise awareness for childhood cancer and to spread joy and smiles throughout my community. The world is a better place if we are nice to people we run into.
I first was in Dance when I was little girl maybe about 6 years old. I was in a ballet class to help with my figure skating lessons.
I think my dream dance partner would be Colton. He never was able to really bust a move in his young age so I would love to dance with him again.
Donald Driver is my favorite dancer from “Dancing with the Stars” as he had amazing moves and great athletic ability. He also knows how to play to the crowd and perform.
I support the American Red Cross for many reasons but my number one reason is because it supports cancer patients with blood and platelets. Without that, chemotherapy wouldn’t be as easy or as good an option if they have low counts.
DWOS17 Meet our Star Dancers: Woody on 94.3 Jack FM
I am the program coordinator and on-air talent for 94.3 Jack FM. I am also a weekend entertainer, providing DJ and emcee services for brides and grooms on their wedding days. I have been married for 20 years, we have 10 children (some of whom are foster children living with us). In my free time, if I have any, I enjoy going to the movies or hanging out at a concert.
One of the reasons that I am participating in this adventure is because of my son: Charlie. He was born on May 18, 2009. It was discovered quickly that he had some abnormalities as well as biliary atresia. Biliary atresia occurs when there is no bile duct from the liver to the small intestines. Basically, the bile made and stored in the liver is unable to be excreted from the body. He was also born without a gallbladder another storage unit for bile. This bile builds up in the blood stream and that is when you see the yellowing of the eyes and skin. Charlie had a Kasai procedure to try and repair this defect, however that surgery was unsuccessful. His only chance at long term survival was a liver transplant. Without a transplant, most children born with biliary atresia typically do not survive past the age of two.
Woody and his dance partner, Mina Witte of Simply Ballroom.
Charlie’s story from the first eight weeks of life until his transplant spanned just over one year. There are too many details to provide in this brief synopsis. There are some vital facts that helped to facilitate his survival. The amazing doctors and nurses who helped us care for him on a daily basis, and all of the blood products he received during his many days in the hospital. His transplant stay in the hospital was 122 days. During this period of time his life was like a roller coaster ride. He had countless surgeries, tests, as well as blood products. Thanks to the American Red Cross, Charlie was able to receive 20 units of red blood cells, 21 units of fresh frozen platelets, 14 units of plasma, and 1 unit of cryoprecipitate.
Without those blood products during his stay as well as during his transplant, Charlie would not have survived. Please consider making a donation to the American Red Cross. You never know when someone you love will need blood products.
Dapper Dance to Support Team Culinary Chemists
Put on your “Sunday best” and join us for an evening of music and dancing. The night will include live music by Gypsy Trip, a ballroom dance lesson, silent auction, full bar and food. Doors open at 6pm with the dance lesson at 7 and the live music at 8pm
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at gatheronbroadway.com
Click HERE for more information and tickets!
