The 13th Annual Marshall County Neighborhood Center’s Dancing with the Stars fundraiser is taking place online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there will not be live dancing and dinner, past dances will be featured and former winners and dancers will be vying for titles of “Grand Champion” and “Redemption Round Winner” on the fundraiser’s website.
The fundraiser will take place throughout the month of February and the public is encouraged to donate to help support the Center.
Over the past six years the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser has raised over $100,000 each year to support the Neighborhood Center’s main programs. In a time when the Center is striving to meet record-setting demands for their services, it became concerning when it was realized their largest annual fundraiser could not take place.
After brainstorming alternatives Chris Garner, the Center’s Executive Director, proposed having the past dancers and winners compete against each other for the ultimate title.
Throughout this month dancers, their past performances, and real-time vote counts are featured on the fundraising website, Givegrove.com/mcncdwts2021/, and are encouraged to rally friends, family, and coworkers to “vote” for them. Votes are $20 and go directly to the Neighborhood Center. The dancers with the most votes will be crowned on February 28th, 2021.
Four primary services are supported by this fundraiser and the need is especially critical during this time. Garner states, “This past year has definitely shown us just how vulnerable far too many of our neighbors are. We have had to adjust our programming but have remained steadfast at being a hand up, not just a hand out. For many of our clients much of 2020 was spent in survival mode, but his year we are focusing on helping those households create plans to move forward.”
The programs supported by the fundraiser include, The Farm Stand, Food Pantry, General Fund and Project Hand Up. More information for each program can be found on the websites for the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser and the Marshall county Neighborhood Center.
Those interested in donating to the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser can visit the website www.givegrove.com/mcncdwts2021/ and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Additionally, direct donations to the Marshall County Neighborhood Center can be made at www.helpingmcfamilies.org, or by mailing a check to MCNC at PO Box 353 Plymouth, IN 46563.
