Executive Director of the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, Chris Garner announced the winners of the 2021 Virtual Dancing With the Stars Fundraiser Sunday evening in a live Facebook post about 7:15.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic the center had to find a way to host their annual, huge fundraiser without gathering hundreds of people and dozens of dancers in the same location.
Last year’s event was hosted at the Swan Lake Resort, as they all have been, and collectively $150,000 was raised to help those in our county that need a helping hand up.
After racking-their-brains for an alternative, the Neighborhood Center decided to ask past winners and some who weren’t so lucky to accept the challenge to seek votes and help the Center raise their goal of $100,000.
With the virtual event, there were two winners, a Redemption Round winner and this year’s winner.
Secretly driving in their vehicle shortly after 7 Sunday evening, Chris and Rachel stopped in at Got Game and surprised the Redemption Winners were Steve and Joy Carter. They had 161 votes.
Anna Kietzman, the 2015 winner was located in Arizona and by video to accept her award. Kietzman thanked those who supported her by voting. She said, “I am blown away by the support and enthusiasm of my family and friends. It’s a really challenging time for a lot of people. I know people have been asked to give a lot anyway. I know this from a non-profit standpoint myself, so just to know this money is going to Center and they were trying to support me as well is really humbling. I’m just grateful, grateful for the support and grateful for the awesome community we live in.”
The Neighborhood Center raised over $51,000 for the event. While only making it halfway to their goal, the Center is more than willing to accept financial donations at any time of the year.
Plans are already under way for the 2022 Dancing With the Stars event. If you are interested in Dancing let the Neighborhood Center know.
