Ballroom dancing is returning to Madison.
The Boys and Girls Club of Madison County will once again host Dancing for the Stars this month. The event, in its third year, raises much needed funds for the organization that serves local children both after school and during the summer.
This year’s couples are Kathy and Jerry Carpenter, Kim and Tod Dodson and Cindy and Jonathon Weakley.
The Carpenters have been married for 37 years and are Madison County natives. Both are Madison County High School graduates and have four children who were involved in the community through sports and 4-H. Jerry is also the Madison County Parks and Recreation Director. They believe the Boys and Girls Club is important because it assists local children in learning and growing.
The Dodsons are also Madison County natives. Kim has been a teacher in the local system since 2009 and currently teaches first grade at Madison Primary School. Tod, meanwhile, has been with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative for 15 years. The two have six children and support the Boys and Girls Club because it enables all young people to reach their full potential.
The Weakleys have been married for nearly 23 years and have two children, both of whom are athletes at Madison County High School and are Boys and Girls Club of Madison alums. Jonathan is the Madison County Administrator and Cindy works in real estate at Montague Miller. The two say the Boys and Girls Club provided invaluable life skills and lifelong friendships for their children.
The three pairs will compete with routines choreographed by Adam Mehring, a leader in the Charlottesville ballroom dance scene for more than a decade and the owner of Smooth Sailing Ballroom. The couple earning the highest marks from judges Lisa Buchanan, Tracey Gardner and Jason Gaviria will win the coveted mirror ball trophy. Each couple also has the opportunity to earn the People’s Choice Award by earning votes online. Every dollar contributed toward a couple equals one vote. As of this week, the Dodsons lead in the People’s Choice voting with $355. In people’s choice donations alone, the event has already raised more than $800 and has raised nearly $75,000 through sponsorships and ticket sales.
“I’m so thrilled by the community’s enthusiasm for our third year running,” Dancing for the Stars Committee Chair Katy Cashman said. “I’d like to thank our committee and community partners for their incredible dedication and our dancers for committing so much time and energy into their routines. At the end of the day, this is all about having fun to support the club and its mission.”
Advisory board president for the club Geri Ficarra said the Dancing for the Stars event is a major fundraiser for the organization.
“Every dollar raised from this event will support year-round youth development programs at the club,” she said. “These funds also help the club to be affordable for families by keeping our membership fees at only $50 for the school year and $100 for the summer.”
Dancing for the Stars will be held at Early Mountain Vineyards Friday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the three couples dancing, there will also be a special performance from members of the club. The event is black tie optional and seating is limited. Tickets are $250 per person and are available in both single and multiple options. To purchase tickets or vote for a people’s choice winner, visit https://app.betterunite.com/boysgirlsclubsofcentralvirginia-boysgirlsclubofmadisonsdancingforthestars.
