Southern Indiana Stars Raise Over $340,000 at Sold-Out Fundraiser to Support Compassionate End-of-Life Care

Annual event dazzles crowd and supports patients and families facing serious illnesses.

On September 9, local celebrities laced up their dancing shoes and took center stage at Huber’s Orchard & Winery for the 2025 Dancing with Our Southern Indiana Stars fundraiser. The sold-out event raised over $340,000 to benefit Hosparus Health’s nonprofit hospice and palliative services. All proceeds from the event remain in Southern Indiana to support patients and families in Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Orange, Scott, and Washington counties.

“This night is about more than dancing,” said Tawanda Owsley, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “It’s about showing up for families who need comfort, dignity, and compassionate care. Every vote cast and every dollar given brings that care to more people right here in Southern Indiana.”

“We are deeply grateful for this outpouring of support,” added David W. Cook, President & CEO. “It enables us to expand access to the highest quality care for more families across Southern Indiana when they need it most.”

2025 Dancing with Our Southern Indiana Stars Winners
The individual category winner was Megan Flanagan, who raised $32,931 for her tango fusion performance, accompanied by professional dancer Clay Marshall. The pairs’ category winners were Mark and Casey Bickers, who raised $62,922 and entertained the crowd with their country medley, choreographed by professional dance instructor Irina Yevtenko.

2025 Singles Dancers:

• Michelle Konkle, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones – Instructor: Clay Marshall
• Aaron Scott, Owner/Funeral Director, Scott Family Services – Instructor: Cherie Lanier
• Ericka Stumler, HR Manager, Insulated Roofing Contractors – Instructor: Damian Pataluna
• Heidi Steinert Kraft, Owner, Ripple Effect Lagree Studio – Instructor: Clay Marshall
• Megan Flanagan, Owner, Board & You Bistro & Custom Charcuterie – Instructor: Clay Marshall

2025 Pairs Dancers:

• Misty Newkirk, Co-owner, ReNew Salon & Aundrea Beets, Co-owner, ReNew Salon – Instructor: Cherie Lanier
• David Laughlin, Senior VP, Wealth Advisor, First Savings Wealth Management & Gina Laughlin, Nurse Practitioner, UofL Physicians – Instructor: Irina Yevtenko
• Gaurav Sharma, Owner, G Fit Life & Janetta Sharma, Director of Finance & Operations, G Fit Life – Instructor: Cherie Lanier
• Mark Bickers, Family Physician & Casey Bickers, Executive Coordinator, Koetter Woodworking – Instructor: Irina Yevtenko

The judges for the evening included three former Dancing with Our Southern Indiana Stars celebrity dancers: Ike Orwick, Board Member, First Harrison Bank; Jacquelyn Koerber, Owner, Koerber’s Fine Jewelry; and Leslie Lewis-Sheets, Owner/Interior Designer at LL&A. The event was organized by a dedicated committee of volunteers, including Event Chair Jill Peden.

In addition to the exhilarating dance competition, the evening featured silent and live auctions, a buffet dinner, and a cash bar. The event was co-presented by Foxtrot sponsors, Concierge Care of Southern Indiana and Scott Family Services/Magnolia Cremations. The evening’s Cha-Cha sponsor was Koetter Woodworking.

This year’s fundraiser was especially meaningful, taking place just days before Hosparus Health’s September 16 groundbreaking for the region’s first dedicated Hospice Care Center, serving families across Southern Indiana and Kentucky. The state-of-the-art facility, located in Louisville, will include 21 private rooms, gardens, and family gathering spaces, with grief counseling services available next door at the Hosparus Health Grief Counseling Center. Learn more at PlacesOfCompassion.com.

While funds from this event stay local, attendees also celebrated the broader mission of expanding care access and equity across the 41-county region Hosparus Health serves.

For more information, or to support Hosparus Health, visit HosparusHealth.org.

Click here to see photos from the event.

Media Contact
Dyan Duncan
Executive Director of Marketing & Communications