BBBS announces DWTS-style fundraiser

Big Brothers Big Sisters information

There is no other place to be on Saturday, November 14, than at the Overdrive, 3769 U.S. 127 in Celina, for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Dancing with the BIG Stars event.

This event is based on the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars”. A group of prominent community members from the area will put on their “boogie shoes” and test their newly learned dancing skills with experienced dance partners. These dancers are putting their heart and soul into dancing and raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize & Van Wert Counties.

Each of the celebrity dancers and their veteran dance partners will compete twice on Saturday, November 14, at the Overdrive during an afternoon matinee performance, with doors opening at 1 p.m. and show starts at 1:30 p.m., and an evening dinner performance, with a social hour at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and the show following.

The 2015 cast of celebrity dancers includes Nikki Sawmiller (dispatcher for the Wapakoneta Police Department) dancing with Jeff Schnippel, Randy Bruns (loan officer for St. Henry Bank) dancing with Janessa Schwieterman, Dr. Ed Hosbach (family physician, Mercer Osteopathic) dancing with Lisa Grunden, Nick Moeller (owner, Moeller Brew Barn) dancing with Lisa Heckman, Casey Dues (student employment coordinator at Wright State University-Lake Campus) dancing with Ron Rindler, Lincolnview Superintendent Jeff Snyder dancing with Alice Laurent, Brittany Giere (intervention specialist, Celina Elementary School) dancing with Zach Ferrall,  and Jen Thompson (owner, Jeneration Fitness) dancing with David Fennig.

The professional dancers represent several dance studios throughout our servicing area, including Wagner Ballroom Dance Studio, En Pointe, The Bachwell Center, and Harmony Studio.

Dancers will be taking lessons, rehearsing their dances and soliciting funds over the next few months. Fans can donate now to their favorite dance couple at www.bbbsma.com or at the BBBS office, 1005 N. Main St. in Celina. The BIG Star Award will be announced at the dinner performance and is based on the couple that raises the most money on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters. In addition, a Judges’ Choice Award will be given to the couple that has the best dance performance based on the judges’ critiques. The night’s featured judges are Lucy Staugler, Eric Wellman, and Jane Diller.

Tickets will be available at 9 a.m. August 3 for those who would like to be a member of the audience for this event. The evening performance includes dinner and the show. The Gold Level is $50 per person and includes a drink ticket as well. The Silver Level is $40 per person and the Bronze Level tickets are $30 each.

The matinee performance includes snacks and a non-alcoholic beverage. These tickets are $20 per person and are sold on a first come, first served basis.

Tickets will be available at www.eventbrite.com or the Big Brothers Big Sisters Office. The event can also be found on Eventbrite by searching “Dancing with the BIG Stars.” Donation forms, ticket information, and event information about Dancing with the BIG Stars can be found on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize & Van Wert Counties website at www.bbbsma.com.

All donations are tax deductible. Proceeds from the event will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize & Van Wert Counties’ ongoing efforts to make a difference in its communities, one child at a time.