Local stars traded their everyday roles for the dance floor last week, helping raise more than $16,000 to support healthcare in Lincoln County.
The Lincoln Health Foundation’s second annual Dancing for a Cause drew approximately 350 people to Lincoln Central Academy on Oct. 1 for an evening of competition, entertainment and fundraising benefiting HH Lincoln Health.
“This event showed what can happen when a community comes together for something that matters,” Lincoln Health Foundation Executive Director Danielle Hart said. “Our dancers gave their time and talents, our sponsors and volunteers stepped up to support them, and our community filled the room to cheer them on. We are so thankful.”
The night included everything from hip-hop and disco to clogging, tap and line dancing, with seven awards presented.
Lance and Emersyn Stephens received the Shining Star award for their special guest father-daughter dance. Before the performance, Lance Stephens spoke about his cancer journey and plans to travel out of town for a stem cell transplant.
The evening then brought a surprise for the Stephens family when Always Endure joined them on stage and announced it would cover three months of their mortgage payments while Lance undergoes treatment.
Other winners included Peige Morgan, Kaitlyn Hudson and Tiffany Tunstill for Crowd Favorite; Megan Spurlock and Allie Groce for Most Spirited; Nicki Painter and Jaelyn Jones for Best Stage Presence; and Just for Clicks Cloggers for Best Choreography.
Jenelle Huffman and Hannah Howell received the Showstopper award, while Karissa Krishnan and Shannon Doherty took home Judges’ Choice.
Dancers from D-Force Dance Company and Backstage Performing Arts also performed throughout the evening and helped choreograph five of the competition routines. Mark and Laura Clark provided music while the final scores were tallied, and audience members even got their own turn in the spotlight with a dance-off.
Fayetteville Mayor Donna Hartman, Dreanne Newton and Mickey Johnson served as judges.
Money raised through Dancing for a Cause will support the Lincoln Health Foundation’s work across HH Lincoln Health. Donations help fund medical equipment, technology, programs and capital improvements.
Past foundation investments have included EMS equipment, telehealth monitors, Home Health and Hospice equipment, improvements at Donalson Care Center, wheelchairs, Labor & Delivery equipment and student scholarships.
The Lincoln Health Foundation supports healthcare services for residents of Lincoln and surrounding counties, including HH Lincoln Medical Center, Lincoln Emergency Medical Services, Donalson Care Center, Lincoln Home Health & Hospice and other local healthcare providers.
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