Dancing+With+the+Stars+for+Literacy

LVCC's Premier Fundraising Event!

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Each year LVCC has a dancing and fundraiser competition in the month of November, called Dancing with the Stars for Literacy (DWTS). Members from the community participate in this competition. Amateur dancers are paired with professional dancers from the Naples Center for the Performing Arts. Throughout the summer, the amateurs will perfect their routines.

Amateur dancers sign an agreement to raise in excess of $4,000 through table sales, selling ads in the program book, and donations. DWTS is LVCC’s most significant fundraiser.

=2013: =

Always Dynamic and Fun Filled, so Let’s Do it “One More Time!” Over the last six years, Literacy Volunteers ofCollier County created engaging themes to make the annual fund-raiser, Dancing with the Stars for Literacy, a dynamic and fun-filled event. This year, in a nod to all the previous events, the theme is “One More Time!”

Once again, ABC 7 News Anchor, Stacey Deffenbaugh, and News Anchor and Senior Producer of Mediavista Group, Carlos Zapata, will return as co-hosts and set the tone for this, the Seventh Annual Dancing with the Stars for Literacy at the Naples Beach and Golf Hotel, starting at 6:30pm.

In keeping with the theme, LVCC will welcome back returning judges, Dr. Lisa Caprio, and Erick Carter, who will rate the performances and routines rehearsed through the summer under the guidance of dance professionals, Lori Oliver and Jeffrey Hajko, of The Naples Performing Arts Center. Joining them will be Bill Barnett, former Mayor of Naples and current Councilman, who has appeared as a host in all six DWTS.

New dancers this year are: Bob Harden, Producer and Host of The Bob Harden Show; Javier Pacheco, Attorney at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP; Mental Health Advocate, Lora Saltarelli; Golisano’s Children’s Museum of Naples’ Kim Scardino and Diana Edwards, a literacy supporter. Returning dancers are Chef Brian Roland, Owner of Crave Culinaire; NBC-2 Reporter Chad Oliver; Dr. Kelly Anderson, of Eye Centers of Florida; and Chef Piro Rodriguez, owner of Best of Chef’s Catering of Naples.

Lesley Brookman will dance a spotlight routine, but not compete as she has previous dancing experience. Lesley was born in England and has been a resident of Naples since 2001. Mother of four, Lesley worked in the airline industry for two decades and says her most exciting job was airline secretary to Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways.

As in previous years, many of the costumes will be generously provided by Deb Pendarvis, owner of Designs Inspired, LLC of Fort Myers.

“We plan to wow the crowd with great dancing and routines, as we have for the past six years. Lori Oliver, Creative Director of the event, always has a few surprises up her sleeve, and no doubt Lori will provide them again this year,” said Elaine Mayrides, LVCC Executive Director and producer of the event.

Tickets are $175 per person.

=2012: =

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">"Heat" - Get Fired Up!

Dancing with the Stars for Literacy seems a long way off, but Elaine Mayrides told the Board at its May monthly meeting she has already signed up three amateur dancers for the event and is actively courting three more. DWTS for Literacy will be held at the Naples Beach and Golf Hotel for the third consecutive year on Friday, November 9th, 2012. Lori Vallieres, owner of the Naples Center for the Performing Arts will, once again, provide the dancing lessons with Jeff Hajko who returns as a professional dancer.

Sparks will fly when local celeb dancers step out to perform hot routines accompanied by hot music on Friday, for the 6th annual Dancing with the Stars for Literacy. The launch party to announce the names of the dancers and introduce them to the public was held in September at the Naples Performing Arts Center. Supporting the new cast of dancers were representatives of the LVCC Board as well as adult learners and friends of literacy.

“Earlier in September International Literacy Day passed without a whimper of acknowledgement in Naples and Collier County,” said Rita Bleasdale, president of LVCC as she welcomed and thanked the dancers. “I was disappointed by the lack of interest in such a vital subject. However, this launch party has turned my disappointment to enthusiasm because everyone here is a true believer in the importance of literacy in our community.”

This year’s cast includes Linh Bui, ABC News anchor, Sharon David, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Previews International, Chris Lombardo of Woodward, Piers and Lombardo, PA., and Jennifer Nichols with Roetzel & Andress, LPA. “LVCC is simply delighted that Chris and Jennifer are able to appear this year as they both had hoped to dance last year but were unable to do so because of other commitments,”

This year the DWTS show will be held at the Naples Beach Hotel. Tickets for the event are $175 per person. .

= 2011: =

Pictures from 2009 and 2008 event.

Anna and Jeff ( F.A. Studio) 2008







Cheryl, Tony, Cathy

LVCC Fundraiser Events