BIG NIGHT FOR CHARITY
Dancing event raises $48,000 for two nonprofits
WILLIAMSBURG — Two local charities danced off with $48,000 to share, thanks to the efforts of those who participated in the 12th annual “Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars” event.
The event benefited Literacy for Life and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula.
Literacy for Life teaches adults the literacy skills required for self-sufficiency, better health and meaningful participation in society. Learn more at LiteracyforLife.org.
“We are so grateful for the tremendous effort invested by so many to produce Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars 2021. The committee chose not to cancel or postpone the event, but instead they rallied along with the emcee, instructors, dancers, and sponsors to make the virtual event both entertaining and successful. At Literacy for Life, our hundreds of adult learners rely upon financial and volunteer support from our amazing community to strengthen their basic skills and achieve success in life and work. On behalf of those learners and everyone at Literacy for Life, I sincerely thank everyone who contributed their time, creativity, talent, and treasure to Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars.”
Jason Thornton
Executive Director
Literacy for Life
Big Brothers Big Sisters creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships between caring, consistent volunteers (Bigs) and at-risk youth (Littles). Learn more at bigbrobigsis.com.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is honored to be a part of the annual Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars competition. For more than a decade, members of the community have worked with professional dance instructors to create astounding performances to entertain crowds while raising money for two great charities. We are incredibly appreciative to the dancers, instructors, committee members and community for supporting one-to-one mentoring. Because of this event, youth throughout the Peninsula will have a caring mentor that will help them achieve academically, develop social skills and build health lifestyles for a brighter future.
Danielle Cohen
She/Her/Hers
Executive Director
Five local businesses (Whitley’s Hair Studio, Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg Orthodontics, The Prescription Shoppe, Norge Dental Center) teamed up with area choreographers (Alan Hedgpeth from A Step Above, Lisa Carducci of I Dance, Dede Anderson of Country Bootleggers, Adelle Carpenter from Virginia Regional Ballet, and Martin Smith of Dancesport in Virginia Beach) to work on a dance number presented to the audience and critiqued by a panel of judges.
The “stars” who put on their dancing shoes were:
Whitley’s Hair Studio – Whitley’s Hair Studio & the Dance Posse Gals
Whitley Thompson, Team Captain
Sharon Dunn, Michelle Hacker, Penny Conklin, Christine Weschler, Antonia Hertzler
Kingsmill Resort – O’Neil’s Angels
O’Neil Jones, Team Captain
Kathryn (Katie) Boucher, Carla King, Nastassia Tone Morgan, Jackie Mierle
Williamsburg Orthodontics – Brace Yourself
Dr. Matt Eppright, Team Captain
Dr. Peter Wendell, Dr. Patti Eppright, Dr. Matt Eppright, Jessica Chapman, Alison Crocker, Courtney Compton, Brooke Turner, Koryn Hawkins, Erica Drolet, Marci Martinez, Julie Pierce, Lisa Wood
The Prescription Shoppe – Dance Therapy
Jade L. Ranger, Team Captain
Henry Ranger, Corina Rosso, Nicole Randolph
Norge Dental Center – Tooth Troup
Patti Winchester, Team Captain
Dr. Ray Henley, Katie Coons, Kayla Jones, Lisa Matykowski, Robin Robert, Christina Thomas,Karlee Smith, Erica Bradley, Breanne Mcdonald, Brandi Graves, Alexis Packett, Alyssa Stevens, Macy Heath, Patti Winchester
Anne Conner, president of TowneBank Williamsburg served as emcee for the event and got everyone excited for the evening’s lineup of dancing. She has a long affiliation with the event, having participated in the past as a dancer and a judge.
The star raising the most donations was O’Neill’s Angels of Kingsmill Resort. Partnered with pro dancer Martin Smith. Their dance to “Stayin’ Alive” was creative and fluid and was a crowd and judge pleaser.
The star with the greatest number of individual donations was The Prescription Shoppe, partnered with professional dancer Alan Hedgepeth.
We would also like to thank all the volunteers, donors and sponsors including Roger Emory, MD of Plastic Surgery Specialists, Riverside Doctor’s Hospital Williamsburg and Pyramid Roofing.
We truly appreciate everyone’s support – together we will be helping our local community.