Dancing with the Wrentham Stars Raises Funds for Town
What do a math and Phys ed teacher, restaurant employee, National Guardsman, dance instructor and car service director all have in common? They are the six people who will compete in the 3rd Annual Dancing with the Wrentham Stars Competition for 2015.
The event will be held Friday, March 27, 2015, from 7 pm to midnight, at Lake Pearl Luciano's, 299 Creek Street, Wrentham. Tickets will go on sale February 7, starting 11 a.m. at The Tavern, Sears Street, Wrentham. Tickets sold out in just a couple of hours last year, so get in line early. In addition to the Dancing Stars, a cash bar and appetizers are offered, followed by a DJ and dancing later in the evening.
The Stars are not just dancing for the challenge and fame. They are dancing to raise funds for organizations in Wrentham that support the community. People who attend the event can vote for their favorite Wrentham Star or Charity by making a tax-deductible donation. 100% of the money raised through voting goes directly to the organizations.
The event is coordinated by Wrentham Community Events, Inc. a non-profit group created to strengthen and support the town. By putting together fundraising events and bringing people together, they strive to foster community spirit while providing financial help and drive awareness of local charities that benefit town residents.
Each dollar people donate equals a vote for your Star! The Star that raises the most donations will win the People's Choice Award the night of the event. If voters can not decide, donations/votes will be divided equally between the Stars and their respective charities.
Who are the players? Three men...
John (JD) Dowden - Wrentham resident for 8 years
His dance instructor is Kimberly Harris-Vasickova
He will be dancing for the Wrentham Food Pantry
Adam Moon - Wrentham Elementary School Physical Education Teacher for 12 years
His dance instructor: Meaghan McHale
He will be dancing to benefit WEST
Bryan Moore - King Phillip graduate and Wrentham resident
His dance instructor is Kellie Teel
He will be dancing for American Legion Post 225
and three women…
Jenna Allen - 7th Grade Math Teacher at King Philip Middle School
Her dance instructor is Jan Ondrias
She will be dancing for the Friends of Wrentham
Jill Bell - Wrentham resident for 7 years
Dance Instructor: Petr Dubovsky
Dancing for Wrentham Senior Center/YMCA
Paula Duduch - Wrentham resident for 22 years
Her dance instructor is Lewis Inman
She will be dancing for the Holly Club
Who are the charities and organizations?
• Wrentham Elementary Schools Trust, Inc. (WEST) is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization responsible for raising private capital to fund innovative and educational projects for the Wrentham Elementary Schools.
• The Holly Club of Wrentham was organized in 1898. This club is dedicated to social services, civic activities and a broader fellowship among women. The club is open to all women regardless of race, color or creed.
• Wrentham Food Pantry. Their goal is to provide a three-day emergency supply of food to Wrentham residents in need. Client confidentiality is a top priority. The Food Pantry is fortunate to be part of a giving community that cares for its neighbors in need.
• The Council on Aging helps to identify the needs of Wrentham residents age 60 and over and provide services and programs to meet those needs. A wide range of activities and services are provided for visitors of the Senior Center. The Hockomock YMCA's Senior Center is collaborating with the Council on Aging and will donate the money received to the Wrentham Senior Center.
• The Friends of Wrentham, Inc. a non-profit charitable organization, has devoted hundreds of volunteer hours and energy to raising money to help nurture the lives of residents of the Wrentham Developmental Center. The Friends of Wrentham, want to assure that each resident continues to live life to the fullest.
The organizations may vary each year. So different groups have a chance to benefit. American Legion and the Senior Center are new this year as beneficiaries.
An enthusiastic community
Response from the community has been great, reports, Cheryl Ringler, board member and the secretary of Wrentham Community Events. She said it's been a great success in terms of money raised, bringing the community together, and building greater awareness and resources for the organizations who care for town residents.
"This is something I will take with me for the rest of my life. It's been such an exciting venture. It has been so exciting for every little goal that we reached," she said. She is accompanied on the board by other members: Cal Harkins, current president; Trisha Kelley, vice president; and Susan Cullen, director.
Ringler recalls the first year they planned the fundraiser. "The day of the event we got 20 inches of snow. We had sold out 630 tickets in one day. We were watching the snow fall all day and kept hoping it was going to stop. 20 inches later we were getting ready for the show." They were so concerned that nobody would show up due to so much snow. "It was unbelievable - 600 people came." Relieved that so many had turned out for the event. "We rented a U-haul truck to collect donations of food for the food pantry. Guests had donated 600 pounds of food." They raised $60,000 the first year.
Remembering back, for a group of five women with limited experience, this was a dream that they formed and reached for. It was so satisfying to see it come to fruition, she said. "It still sends chills up my spine when I think about it." Last year they raised $90,000.
"One of the most wonderful parts of this is we truly see the mission of bringing the community together. Friendships have been made doing this. We have met so many people in the community: dance instructors, organization members, or the dancing stars. Some of the dancers have gone on to take more lessons and dance more. Some meet socially as friends. We've become friends with them. It's been so wonderful in that way." It doesn't just end that night. It continues all year round, she continued.
Ringler added that it's nice to get the feedback from the organizations. Tony Marano from the Friends of Wrentham sent a picture of the van they purchased with their monies for the Wrentham Developmental Center. It's wonderful to see that it is definitely a group effort and to see the benefits of that too, she added.
People can purchase individual tickets or for a group at a table. For more information about the event, visit Wrentham Community Events' website at http://www.wce02093.org/. They are also on Facebook at "Dancing with the Wrentham Stars"
Norfolk/Wrentham News, January, 2015
