In 13th year, charitable competition Dancing with the Gloucester County Stars on brink of milestone
Dancing with the Gloucester County Stars held its first dancing competition 12 years ago, mimicking the hit show “Dancing with the Stars,” with the goal to raise money for local charities. The event, hosted by the Greater Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, is now entering its 13th year with a big goal in mind.
“After 12 years we raised exactly $1,931,305,” executive director of the Greater Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, John Campbell, said. “This year it’s very important because we’re trying to break the $2 million mark.”
The way the contest works is there are six dancers who are dancing for a nonprofit organization located in and serving Gloucester County. Each dancer is also working with a professional dancer, just like the TV show. Here are the dancers, their charities and their dance partners:
Lynn DiPietropolo: She is the superintendent of the Woodbury Public Schools and is dancing for the Woodbury Playground Project with the Woodbury Kiwanis Club. Her partner is Jonathan Cabrera from LaPierre Ballroom Dance Studio.
Rosemarie Parker: She is the chief executive officer of Family Promise and is dancing for Family Promise. Her dance partner is Rene’ Osterek from Stardust Ballroom.
Nicole McCaffery: She is a real estate agent with Remax Community and is dancing for the Colette W. Bleistine Paying it Forward Foundation. Her dance partner is Jason Flores from LaPierre Ballroom Dance Studio.
Robert MacFeeters: He is an associate attorney at Puff & Cockerill and is dancing for Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity. His dance partner is Ryan West from LaPierre Ballroom Dance Studio.
Steve Pasquini: He is a disc jockey and owner of Steve & Company and is dancing for Paws Healing Heroes. His dance partner is Brona Vrtalova from Stardust Ballroom.
Joe Theodore: He is a partner in a marketing firm Berry & Horner and is dancing for The Abilities Solutions. His dance partner is Krystal Bradley from LaPierre Dance Studio.
The event culminates with a finale, held on Sept. 27 at Auletto’s Catering on Cooper Street in Deptford Township. Doors open for the event at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served until 6:50. The dancing will start at 7. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online under the events tab on greaterwoodburychamber.com or over the phone with Kris Coniglio (856) 264–2174. Coniglio can be reached by email as well, [email protected].
Three awards will be given out at the finale. The first award is the Technical Award, given to the best dancer as judged by three judges — two professionals and one guest judge. Each dancer will have their choice of four dances: Foxtrot, ChaCha, Viennese Waltz and East Coast Swing.
The second award is the Community Award, which goes to the dancer who’s charity raised the most money. The charity will host fundraising events such as a night out at a restaurant, a golf outing or even a cornhole tournament. The third and final award is the Mr./Ms. Congeniality Award, which is given to one of the dancers, as voted by the six dancers.
“It has become the signature event of the Greater Woodbury Chamber of Commerce,” Campbell said.
He added his favorite aspect of the competition is the finale.
“It’s amazing. At the end of the finale we have the results and present check amounts for donations.”
