Eight Charities Share $453,000 From Swingshift
Eight organizations shared almost half a million dollars from the latest round of local charitable dancing competition Swingshift and the Stars. The local “Dance-off for Charity” expanded beyond foxtrots and mambos to include a lip sync battle this year. Each organization presented one evening of dance and one of lip-syncing to a popular song.
The efforts were led by Traverse City Christian School, which partnered with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors and earned $118,550 in donations through the efforts of Adam Miller and students. The group won the Audience Choice Award twice and the Alumni Award once.
Other non-profits which participated this year included:
· 22 2 None, championed and represented by Marilyn Taylor–Exit Realty, garnered the Audience Choice Award in November, won the Social Media Scavenger Hunt Challenge and totaled $66,477 in donations.
· Christ’s Hope International, championed by Loft TC and represented by Saburi Boyer, won the Alumni Award twice and the Audience Choice Award once to the tune of $57,811.
· The Children’s House had its parent partnership group champion it and gym teacher Steve Maas as representative, earning $29,551.
· The City Opera House was sponsored by Tom’s Food Markets with Maurie Allen and Jane Deering-Zimmerman as performers, earning $51,730.
· Michael’s Place was sponsored by Clark Manufacturing with performers Ellyn Tarrant and Angela Di Lorenzo, garnering $61,712.
· Zonta Club of Traverse City was championed by REMAX-Bayshore with Deb Jackson and Debbie Dacey as representatives, with total donations of $27,752.
· Arts For All (pictured) was supported by Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings, with performers Derek Woodruff and Grace Hudson, earning $39,468 in donations.
All told, Swingshift and the Stars has raised over $3.5 million for Michigan non-profits over its 11 years of performances.