BBBS fundraising event set for November

Big Brothers Big Sisters information

CELINA — There is no other place to be on Saturday, November 15, than at the Overdrive, 3769 U.S. 127 in Celina, for the Big Brothers Big Sisters “Dancing with the BIG Stars” event!

A group of prominent community members from throughout the area will put on their “boogie shoes” and test their newly learned dancing skills with their 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 experienced dance partners will compete twice on Saturday, November 15, at the Overdrive during an afternoon matinee performance, starting at 12:30 p.m., and an evening dinner performance at 5 p.m.

The 2014 cast includes Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Abby Balster, dancing with Steve Hartwig; Wapakoneta Police Detective Pat Green, dancing with Jessica Welker; New Knoxville Village Administrator Rex Katterheinrich, dancing with Kelly Hawk; Jeff Knapke, manager of sales/marketing for VersaPak, dancing with Janessa Schwieterman; Pete Lisi, fundraising representative, dancing with Ashley Etzkorn; Ambyr Rose (morning show host for New Country 92.1 The Frog, dancing with Zach Ferrall; Andy Schwieterman (realtor for Bee Gee Realty in Van Wert, dancing with Lisa Grunden; and Fort Recovery Local Schools Superintendent Shelly Vaughn, dancing with Ron Rindler. The professional dancers represent several dance studios throughout the Big Brothers Big Sisters service area, including Dancer by Gina, The Dance Centre, En Pointe Dance Studio, and Wagner Ballroom Dance Studio.

Dancers will be taking lessons, rehearsing their dances and soliciting funds over the next few months. Fans can vote now for their favorite community dancer at www.bbbsma.com or at the BBBS office, 204 E. Spring St. in St. Marys. Every vote is a $5 donation to BBBS.

The BIG Star Award will be announced at the dinner performance and is based on the celebrity dancer that raises the most money on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters. In addition, a Judge’s 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 are still available for those who would like to attend the event, and each dinner ticket includes a catered dinner in addition to the performance. There are only Bronze Level tickets left for $30 each for the dinner show; the Gold Level and Silver Level are sold out. The matinee performance includes snacks and a beverage. These tickets are $20 per person and are sold on a first come first serve basis.  Dancer voting ballots, ticket information, and event information about Dancing with the BIG Stars can be found on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize, and Van Wert Counties website above. All votes are tax deductible. Proceeds from the event will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize, and Van Wert Counties’ ongoing efforts to make a difference in its communities, one child at a time.