STAR Center’s annual ‘Dancing with the STARs’ fundraiser kicks off

JACKSON, Tenn. — Some Hub City celebrities have all come down with a contagious dancing fever Thursday evening.

The 9th annual ‘Dancing with the STARs’ event made its way to the Carl Perkins Civic Center to cure that dancing fever, while raising funds for the STAR Center.

“I am grateful for each any amount that we raise here at the STAR Center. There is so many things we need to do for our clients and even for our building. People always underestimate what it takes to run a center like ours and each the STAR Center needs to raise about $900,000. So this event is just a small portion of what we’re trying to raise,” said Jennifer Graves, president of the STAR Center.

7 contestants take to the big stage Thursday evening to show off their dancing skills.

The annual ‘Dancing with the STARs’ is is one of the biggest fundraiser for the STAR Center. Dancers were judged on entertainment, foot work, difficulty, performance, choreography and a 20 second hold.

“I want to tell you what, I was watching our rehearsal last night and I was so amazed at these dancers. They are killing it! The level of talent is fantastic,” said Graves.

Dancers were encouraged to raise $2,500 in this fundraiser. The mission of the STAR Center is to help any person with any disability to realize their potential. They serve nearly 4,000 clients across Tennessee. Each dollar equaled one vote.

“It’s going to a great cause, we actually toured the center together and after we really saw all the things that they do. It was just mind blowing, it just gave us even more of an experience or reason for why we really wanted to do it,” said Stephanie Wilburn, dancer.

Both dancers shared that they went to social media and friends to spread the word to raise money. Overall, both agree that it’s for a great cause.

“I want to encourage everybody also in the future to get involved with what the STAR Center is doing. It’s an amazing experience and a great great cause. I’m even more involved and into it now since I got a chance to participate in this. I want to encourage people to get involved,” said Vonda Peet, dancer.

Throughout the night viewers could vote online or in person for their People’s Choice Award.

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