Celebrity all-stars returned to the stage to show off their moves at Huber’s Orchard & Winery
(BORDEN, IN) — A sensational line-up of local celebrity all-stars hit the dance floor on Sept. 13 during Hosparus Health of Southern Indiana’s Dancing with our Southern Indiana Stars (DWOSIS), raising an impressive $235,625 for hospice patients and families in Clark, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, Scott, Spencer and Washington counties. More than 700 guests celebrated the return of Southern Indiana’s premier charity event at Huber’s Orchard & Winery. This is the first year the competition has been held since 2019.
Based on the ABC-TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” the event introduced an exciting twist this year — all the dancers had competed in previous years, and winners were named in both the singles and couples categories. The singles winner was Leah Huber, raising $31,157 and dancing a Blues/Tango Fusion number accompanied by professional, Clay Marshall. The couples’ winners were Leslie Lewis and Tommy Sheets, who raised $28,659, and shook their tailfeathers during a Cowboy-themed Medley. Their professional dance instructor was Irina Yevtenko.
“We are beyond thrilled to bring back this event in a big way for 2022, with some of our fan favorites from past competitions,” says Tawanda Owsley, Hosparus Health’s Chief Marketing and Development Officer. “As one of only the few non-profit hospice providers in Southern Indiana, we are committed to serving patients and their families, regardless of their ability to pay. The support goes directly to making sure more local families have access to hospice, palliative and bereavement care.”
The other talented 2022 celebrity dancers were:
- Emily Grantz Goldman, Coordinator, Floyd County WIC Program, who danced an East Coast Swing
- Julie Hammond, Referral and Admissions Nurse, Hosparus Health, who danced a Foxtrot
- Al Knable, M.D., Physician, Associates in Dermatology, and Member, New Albany City Council, who danced a 1950s Swing Mashup
- Ike Orwick, Retired, and Board Member, First Harrison Bank, who danced a Charleston/Tango/Lindy Hop Medley
- Darrell Mills, Former Floyd County Sheriff, Board Member, New Chapel Fire Department, who danced a Cha Cha
- Angie Fenton, CEO and President, Extol Magazine & Media, and Jason Applegate, Chief Operating Officer, Extol Magazine & Media, and President, New Albany City Council, who danced a Modern Mix
- Scott McVoy, Deputy Chief, Jeffersonville Police Department, Vice President, Sellersburg Town Council, and Kelly McVoy, Master Stylist, Salon Gautier, CEO, K4 Security, who danced a Cha Cha
In addition to an exhilarating dance competition where dancers compete for votes in the form of donations, DWOSIS featured silent and live auctions, a delicious buffet dinner and cash bar.
Judges for the event were Pam Bennett Martin, Principal, Bennett & Bennett Insurance; Daniel Farmer, Singer, The Juice Box Heroes, and 2018 DWOSIS Celebrity Dancer; and Dr. Toni Sartini, DMD, FAGC, SmileArtistry2000.com and 2018 DWOSIS Celebrity Dancer. The event was organized by a dedicated committee of volunteers, including Co-Chairs Pam Lumley, Donna Kirchgessner and Jill Peden.
NWSB was the presenting Foxtrot sponsor for the event. The event’s Cha-Cha sponsor was ASB Custom Homes, and Tango sponsors were PC Homestores, John Jones Auto Group, Witten Builders, and Schmitt Furniture.
