With attitude, glamour and too-fast-to-follow footwork, five Broward business and community leaders will face off at the fifth annual “Dancing with the Stars of Broward” on May 4 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Modeled after the popular national TV show, Dancing with the Stars of Broward pairs each local celebrity with a professional dance instructor. During weeks of tough training, they’ll prepare to take the stage to perform two dance routines. The premier fundraiser for The Pantry of Broward will help provide food and other support services to seniors on low, fixed incomes and grandparents raising their grandchildren.
Competing are Chef Lee Blakley of Wines for Humanity; Alyssa Lovitt of Timpano Italian Chophouse; John Mabry of AutoNation; Luke Moorman of Carroll’s Jewelers; and Kathy O’Brien of Fort Lauderdale Country Club. Judges are Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis and 2012 Dancing with the Stars of Broward celebrity dancers Laurina Anderson, Marc Cannon, Johnny Williams and Katrina Wright, who will offer commentary on the performances. Audience members can also purchase votes before and during the event for $1 each.
For the event’s fifth anniversary, the celebrity competitors have already upped the ante. The pair that wins the champion’s trophy must dazzle the judges and audience – and have a strong showing in raising funds for the event. So as they perfect their dance moves, the celebs are rallying friends and family to “vote” for their teams by making online donations to the charity.
This year’s co-chairs are Gale Butler of AutoNation and Jen Klaassens of The Wasie Foundation, who was a 2011 Dancing with the Stars of Broward contestant and a judge in 2012. “Guests know Dancing with the Stars of Broward delivers a high-energy evening for a great cause,” said Klaassens. “To celebrate the event’s fifth anniversary, our event team is taking costumes, production effects and fun to the next level.”
“As The Pantry’s major annual fundraiser, Dancing with the Stars of Broward is vital to the mission of helping seniors in need in Broward County and South Florida,” said event co-chair Gale Butler. “This year, through social media, all the contestants’ friends can be in on the fun and support their team from the start.” To follow dancers’ progress and vote, visit
www.thepantryofbroward.org.
Tickets, priced at $200 per person, are limited and interested guests are encouraged to reserve seats early by calling Terrence Smalley at The Pantry of Broward at 954-358-1481, ext. 113 or ordering online at www.dancingwiththestarsofbroward.org. Sponsorships also are available.
Sponsors include AutoNation, Publix, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Premier Beverage, SBBS, The Wasie Foundation, Wines for Humanity, Timpano Italian Chophouse, Carroll’s Jewelers, Fort Lauderdale Country Club, Postal Center International (PCI), QuinnProQuo, Go Riverwalk magazine and Smith & Knibbs Public Relations.
The Pantry of Broward, a nonprofit organization, provides food and other support services to more than 425 clients and 166 grandchildren throughout Broward County. Founded in 2008, The Pantry of Broward agency is a nutritional safety net for local seniors in need, many of whom are raising their grandchildren. For information and volunteer opportunities visit on the web at
www.thepantryofbroward.org.
MAY 4
Seminole Hard Rock & Casino
954.358.1481, ext. 113
