Dancing with the Stars for Hope, the big local fundraiser for Circle of Hope will soon hit the stage at Habersham Central High. The event takes place on Saturday, August 13th, at 6 p.m. in the school’s fine arts auditorium.
This year’s dance competition marks the full return of DWTS for Hope. In 2020, the event was postponed because of the pandemic. The 2020 teams performed in 2021 and, when they did, the audience was limited due to COVID capacity restrictions.
This year there are no seating limits and tickets are still available for this weekend’s performance. The fundraiser is an opportunity for the local community to help victims of domestic violence and it comes at a time when that support is sorely needed. This has been a challenging fundraising year for nonprofits, says Circle of Hope Executive Director Suzanne Dow. The money DWTS for Hope raises will go toward the local shelter and programs that empower women and children caught in the cycle of domestic abuse.
Tickets start at $30 apiece and may be purchased online.
Raising operating funds for Circle of Hope
There are seven teams competing this year. Voting is already underway for the People’s Choice Award. Each vote is $1.00 and can be pledged to your favorite team at DWTS for Hope Vote.
It’s a tight race for this award. Heather Sinyard and Kevin Angell (team Disorderly Conduct) last week remained in first place, followed by Melissa and Kevin Wood from team No Assembly Required. Jamie Mentzer, Kelley Segers, and Caleb Segers moved into the top three last week with their team In A Heartbeat.
Voting continues through the night of the performance.
In addition to the People’s Choice Award, teams are competing for two other awards. The Judge’s Choice Award goes to the team the judges pick for the best dance performance on the night of the competition. The Most Entertaining Award will be determined by audience members.
The team that raises the most money wins the coveted mirror ball.
Just how difficult is DWTS for Hope?
Local celebs are working hard preparing and perfecting their dance routines and raising money. All their work reaches its zenith on August 13th when the teams go head to head on the dance floor.
Agreeing to be a contestant in Dancing with the Stars for Hope is a huge commitment. Practice began early in the year, working with a choreographer/coach. And the fundraising has been ongoing for months.
All seven teams this year accepted the challenge. Here’s what they’ve discovered through the process.
Diamond in The Rough team members Chris and April Akridge found the most difficult part was finding the time to practice and fundraise. With four boys at home and doing fundraising for their real jobs as well. April admits that they shouldn’t quit their day jobs to become professional dancers, but they willingly participated because of the cause. April explains, “Circle of Hope is a great organization that provides great services to our community!”
Better Together team members Nora and Rolando Almazon say they have definitely had fun, but they’ve learned that being a part of the cast has nothing to do with them. “It’s about those who suffer from domestic abuse,” Nora says. “Sacrifices are necessary to change lives. Because of this –– this [DWTSH] is necessary!”
Cutting A Rug team members Kim and Victor Anderson have struggled to find the time to practice and fundraise. With their personal responsibilities at their jobs and with their family, added to Victor’s time away as a Georgia State Representative, practice time was difficult to find and learning the routine was even more difficult. Victor says, “Neither of us have any dance experience or natural talent!!” On the bright side, Victor acknowledges that learning to deal with their own physical limitations has helped them learn how to work together better.
In A Heartbeat team members Jamie Mentzer and Kelly and Caleb Sergers have also struggled with finding the extra time to fundraise. Jamie acknowledges that she’s learned she really cannot dance. Her participation was not voluntary, however. She says she was “voluntold” that she would do it. Jamie explains , “It is for good cause and if I am able to help someone in need, I am all for it.” She also admits that she really enjoyed the experience.
Sweet Disaster team members Jessie Owensby and Heath Barrett have taken the competition seriously. Jessie says, “I’ve learned that I’m very determined. But I’ve also learned I’m maybe not as good of a dancer as I thought I was.” Heath acknowledges learning the same difficult lesson himself. “When I commit to something, I commit . . . rain, shine, tears, laughs, or smiles . . . I’m committing and giving it my all!”
Disorderly Conduct team members Heather Sinyard and Kevin Angell see the importance of what they’re doing for the community and Circle of Hope. They’ve also had a lot of laughs along the way.
Heather says, “Kevin, Brandon [our choreographer] and I have the best time at practice and share a lot of laughter together. The ultimate goal is that we are all doing this for a great cause, but we got a bonus of forging a special friendship along the way.”
No Assembly Required team members Melissa and Kevin Wood were first invited to participate right after they purchased Wood’s Furniture in downtown Clarkesville. They asked to put their involvement off a year as they settled in with their new business. With COVID restrictions, they’ve waited longer than they anticipated to be a part of DWTS for Hope. For Melissa, she had to accept that she cannot ask her body to do the kind of things she could have expected 25-30 years ago. “I have had to learn to extend a lot of grace to myself,” she says.
So you wanna be a ‘star’?
While all of this year’s participants pointed out the discipline and commitment it took to make time for rehearsals and fundraising, they unanimously encouraged others in the community to consider taking up the dancing mantle for next year.
Victor Anderson says, “JUST DO IT! I spent many years coming up with good excuses to NOT participate. This year, John Krippner asked Kim instead of me, so we are participating. We were both reluctant at first but have had a blast getting ready!”
Heath Barrett agrees with Victor. “We all sacrifice time through our lives, and this year was my time to step up and help support the Circle of Hope. If you’re asked next year, don’t overthink it! If you want to do it, commit, don’t look back, and let the fun begin!”
Heather Sinyard underscores the reason behind participating. “I’ve been heavily involved in the Habersham United Way for many years, and my husband works in law enforcement, so I know how critically important all of the services are that Circle of Hope provides for our communities. I wish their programs weren’t necessary, but realize that carving out time in my continuously hectic life was a no-brainer if it means my donation of time, resources, and fundraising can help give hope to even just one person trying to survive and escape domestic violence.”
Nora Almazan summed up what all the others said: “Just DO IT!”
RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!
