For seven local residents, helping their favorite nonprofit agency earn tens of thousands of dollars has been as easy as doing the tango, foxtrot or waltz.
Of course, it only seems easy until they step on the dance floor.
A new batch of dancers are ready to strut their stuff and show off their best moves in this year’s Dancing With the Johnson County Stars. Since 2014, the fundraising extravaganza has seen participants, paired with trained dance instructors, generate significant money for organizations such as KIC-IT, Youth Connections and the Humane Society of Johnson County.
Through six events, Dancing With the Johnson County Stars has raised more than $1.4 million. More so, the event helps spread the word of the different agencies that are working in the county to assist those in need.
“Besides the exposure, it’s given us the confidence and affirmation that it’s OK to raise funds for something you believe in. We obviously believe in what we do, or we wouldn’t invest so much time, energy and self into it,” said Joy McClain, founder of Rest and Restore Ministries. “There is great value in seeing all that this community does, and all the ways they’re helping individuals who live here. It’s inspiring.”
This year, dancers will represent seven nonprofit agencies. In addition to KIC-IT, Youth Connections and the Humane Society, organizations such as Rest and Restore, Beats for Bristol, ASSIST Indiana and Human Services have competitors taking part.
Each agency is in charge of raising money for their cause, planning fundraisers big and small throughout the summer months. To be included in the competition, organizations have to serve the entire county, have a strong volunteer base and a committed board, Miller said.
“The event is really a platform to allow small nonprofits to participate in a major event with no financial risk,” she said. “The event sponsors pay all of the costs of the event — printing, venue, dance lessons, etc. The agencies and their dancers do fundraising and keep all of the monies they raise.”
Miller created the local event to play off the popularity of the hit television show, “Dancing with the Stars.” She had seen other similar events in central Indiana, and thought it would be a good way to raise money to support area organizations.
With the contest format, the fundraiser could help multiple nonprofits at the same time, rather than go to just one agency.
“It’s such great exposure and great community involvement. (Miller) has been such an advocate for the nonprofits, and I can’t imagine it being run by anyone else,” said Anne Sutton, executive director of the Humane Society of Johnson County.
In the first year of the event, participants raised more than $180,000 combined for their individual groups. The competition has brought in a total of $1,464,881, including $339,881 in 2019 — the last time the competition was held, after the coronavirus pandemic forced its cancellation last year, Miller said.
“It’s really a fundraising incubator, encouraging (the agencies) to seek donors and opportunities. It also serves to raise community awareness about the agencies and what they do,” she said.
Each dancer is asked to raise $5,000 on their own for the agency they’re representing. Whoever raises the most is named the Most Valuable Dancer at the event.
The coveted Mirror Ball Trophy goes to the agency and dancer that raises the most money.
KIC-IT has been part of the competition since the start, including raising the most money multiple years. The event not only provides the organization with funding, but adds exposure to the work they’re doing.
“It’s been really fun just seeing a different way to raise funds and awareness of what we do,” said Katie Sparks, executive director of KIC-IT. “Most people don’t really see the youth homelessness in our county, so (it’s) just another way to raise awareness of who we are and what we do.”
ASSIST Indiana, which addresses domestic and sexual violence in the community, has found participation in the event to be a quality learning experience. As a smaller agency, fundraising is key, but their leadership wasn’t always sure of the best events and opportunities to take advantage of.
“It’s just a lot of fun to be able to get ideas from other organizations in the community to see what they’re doing fundraising-wise, because we’re so new,” said Michelle Hendrix-Swords, victim advocate for ASSIST Indiana. “Being able to hear from other people, that gives us ideas to help with that.”
Dancers representing the organizations are paired with instructors from Five Star Dance Studio, and start practicing in May. Each pair plans a choreographed routine, complete with a theme and costume.
Their hard work leads up to a weekend-long competition that doubles as a rollicking show at the Artcraft Theatre for audience members. Friday is a preview night, allowing the dancers to show off their moves while vying for the judge’s choice for best dancer of the night.
Then Saturday serves as the spotlight event. Another judge’s choice award, as well as the Mirror Ball and Most Valuable Dancer awards are presented.
Organizers hope after missing last year’s event, Dancing with the Johnson County Stars is twice as successful this year.
“At a time when we needed more money than ever for the nonprofits, the agencies were cut off from that because of all of the events that couldn’t take place,” Miller said. “They all still need money, and we encourage people to contact their agency or dancer.”
