For the sixth consecutive year, the American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin has grown, sold-out and added new highlights to their annual disaster fundraiser. On Saturday, February 15th, not only are 11 local celebrities vying for the fundraising Mirror Ball trophy, they are competing in a dance contest. Surprises for this year include a professional dancer & celebrity judge Peta Murgatroyd. She may best be known as the professional dancer & coach to Donald Driver. During the evening, she will do more than judge! Plus, a live-streaming element provides those at home the ability to watch and participate in the event!
Eleven local celebrities are participating in Dancing With Our Stars 2014 for the American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin, presented by the Schneider National Foundation. The 11 star dancers have been competing off the dance floor to raise the most funds for the coveted Fundraising Mirror Ball Trophy. Their last chance to raise the stakes are by earning the audiences “vote”. For every dollar donated at the event or online at http://crowdrise.com/DWOSNEW/ they earn another ‘vote’ so the stakes are high to dazzle the crowd in their two dances. This year’s cast includes:
Brian Bartel – Dad/Inventor
Rick & Susie Beverstein – Senior Vice President, AON
Deb DeLeers – Attorney, Associated Bank
Tammy Elliott – Morning News Anchor, WBAY-TV 2
Tracy Lemsky – Senior Vice President, Private Banking Group Manager, Associated Bank
Chris Lofgren – President/CEO, Schneider National
Jim Rivett – President, Arketype
Mike Spurlock – Partner, Spurlock, Runyan, Miller & Assoc., C.P.A.s
Stacy Struck – Regional Manager, Jack’s Maintenance
Jody Weyers – Director, Volunteer & Communications at American Red Cross
For the first time, with the support of Camera Corner Connecting Point, we will have the event streaming live at http://new.livestream.com/cameracornergb/events/2698713. Not only will viewers at home see the dancing, they will hear the all-star judges including Peta Murgatroyd. She has not only accepted our invitation to attend, she will get into the dancing line-up Wisconsin style! One lucky member of the audience will dance the “official” state dance, the POLKA with Peta!! This is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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.
For the first time, the event will be held at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay as this was a larger venue than past years. The evening will begin at 4:30pm with a reception. The dancing competition starts at 7:00pm
This event is hosted through the amazing support of Green Bay’s DanceSport, J. Powell Dance Studio, Simply Ballroom and TC Dance Club of Appleton are all teaching our local celebrities the Tango, Fox Trot, Rumba, Waltz and many more crowd pleasers.
Special thank you to our event sponsors. The Schneider National Foundation, Ameriprise, Arketype, Associated Bank, Bay Industries, Broadway Automotive, Cellcom, Festival Foods, Green Bay Packaging, Inc., the Green Bay Packers, Jack’s Maintenance, The Kaldas Center, KI, Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, and Women’s Specialty Care. Media Sponsors include: WBAY-TV, WIXX and the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter serves 20 counties throughout the greater Fox Valley and the Michigan border communities. To learn more about local Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the Chapter headquarters at 920-231-3590 or www.redcross.org/newisconsin. Find us on facebook.com/newredcross, on twitter @newredcross.