'Local celebrities' dance their way to over $22,000 in donations

A Night Among Stars was a huge hit for Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lacombe and District. The sold-out ‘Dancing with the Stars’ type event saw over $22,000 in donations and they are still counting donations.

“I have nothing but amazing things to say about the night. For the moment, you walk in the room and the design, the layout, just that elevation to the dance competition I think immersed everyone from the dancers to the guests in a different world. It was amazing,” said Brianna Berthiaume, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lacombe and District.

Local ‘celebrities’ were paired with dancing professionals from several local studios in the area. The pairs included:

Will Hendrickson and Meagan McGratten (Make Your Mark Dance Studio)
Wendy Griffin and Arlene Cuff (Rosedale Valley Dance)
Jeff Pollard and Paighton Smith (Maddox Dance Co.)
Benjamin Darnell and Tracey McLean (Dance Magic Studio)
Ben James and Heather Buelow (Dancer’s Edge Studio)
Charmen Baron and Mel Fioriello (Illusion School of Dance)
Darren King and Amber Bolan (Dancer’s Edge)

Although the dancers were nervous, Berthiaume said everyone performed exceptionally well and did not let their nerves show in their performances.

“When I say they did amazing, they did amazing from the moment they signed on to be dancers. All these dancers didn't take much convincing at all. They were in, ready to advocate for Big Brothers and Sisters, and mentoring and also connect with Dancers Edge Parent Association. They raised a lot more money than I would have ever dreamed of for what we kind of projected for this event,” said Berthiaume.

Berthiaume says the event wouldn’t have been able to happen without the help of the Dancer’s Edge Parent Association volunteers who helped with the event.

Three dancing pairs were selected as winners that night and those included: