The ninth annual Dancing with the Vernon Stars was an overwhelming success.
The sold-out event at the Vernon Atrium Hotel raised $113,644 for the North Okanagan Hospice Society.
“Thank you, everyone, for your support and generosity raising funds for Hospice,” said Shirley Higgins, event manager.
The participating dancers were:
Barbara Nolan, Sam Nolan – Nolan’s Pharmasave
Leslie Nuyens, Phil Southward – Nucerity, Southward Medical Supplies
Bridget Trainor, Nick Vlahos – Community supporter, Davidson Pringle Lawyers
Deb and Doug White – White House Mortgages, Watkins Ford
T.L. Buchberger, Darcy Sochan – Nucerity International, Century 21
Audrey and Ken Ingram – Allysian Sciences, AAA All Drywall and Paint Services
Charlene and Carlos O’Brien – Kidston Elementary, Swan Lake Nurseryland
Tracey Ross and Lisa Schofield – Silver Star Mountain/Sir Winston’s Pub, Diversity Dance and Performing Arts
Kerry and Tom Carlson – Interior Health, teacher
Vicki and Dan Proulx – Lake City Casinos, Vernon; CIBC
All dance couples were asked to raise $5,000 for Hospice.
The Nolans raised $10,622 while the Whites collected $10,152 and there was $9,025 from Nuyens and Southward, $8,555 from Trainor and Nick Vlahos, and $7,966 from Buchberger and Sochan.
The community favourite were the Nolans for most votes purchased online before the event.
The fan favourite, determined by the most votes purchased at the event, were the Whites.
And the judges’ favourite for the most points awarded were the Proulxs.
Each dance couple was coached by Ruth and George Blencoe, of Ruth McGrath Dance Studio, or Tracy Kaye Holly, of TKH Dance Co.
“In my mind every dancer is a winner and every person involved with this event or lives in the area is a winner,” said Higgins.
Sponsors for the event were The Morning Star, Sun FM, Wayside, Sproing Creative, Ruth McGrath Dance, New Horizon Productions, Tambellini Design Studio, Vernon Atrium Hotel, Nucerity International, Daniel and Dawn Trainor, Tracy Kaye Holly Dance Co., AcuTruss Industries, Davidson Pringle Lawyers, Pharmasave Nolan’s Pharmacy, Sanders Medical Inc, Schubert Centre, Summit Financial and VantageOne Credit Union.
“Dancing with the Vernon Stars continues to be a huge success for the North Okanagan Hospice Society,” said Leslie Harvey, NOHS financial officer.
“The community has always stepped up when we’ve needed them so that we can continue to help those we care for at our facility in their end-of-life journey.”