Community members have the opportunity to witness St. Mary's own edition of "Dancing with the Stars" from May 13-14, when six dance teams will showcase their talents to raise funds for cancer patients.
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The event, patterned after the popular television show, will help the foundation build on its Cancer Patient Assistance Fund, established in July 2016.
Beverly Stafford, foundation director, said the fund will help provide short-term aid to cancer patients suffering hardships because of their disease or otherwise.
"This is a unique event for Jefferson City, but it does highlight the dance community's ability to do some wonderful things here," she said.
The dance pairs include:
Mayor Carrie Tergin and Charles Stone, owner of Windstone Entertainment;
Ashley Freeman of Freeman Mortuary and Tom Cwynar, retired from the Department of Conservation;
Barb Prasad, practice manager of JCMG Laser and Vein Medical Spa, and Bill Smith, retired automotive mechanic;
Theressa Ferguson, director of the Lincoln University Dance Troupe, and Jake Vogel, vice president of Jefferson City Coca-Cola;
Andy Fetchel, brand specialist at Fetchel Beverage and Sales, and local OB/GYN Dr. Jennifer Su;
Russ Bell of Jefferson City Bank and Larinda McRaven, owner of McRaven Ballroom.
All of the dancers said they are looking forward to having fun and entertaining the audience while raising money for a good cause.
The duos will perform swing and salsa routines they have practiced over the weeks leading to the event.
Dancing duos Vogel and Ferguson and Stone and Tergin said they will be turning up the heat throughout the competition with the possibility of some aerial dance moves.
Stone said his partnership with Tergin is great.
"She is a hard charger, does not accept second best; and as a retired Army officer I feel the same, so the two of us are a great team," Stone said. "It's going to be a tough time to beat us."
Prior to the event, Stone will host a swing dance fundraiser May 6, with the proceeds also benefiting the St. Mary's Foundation cancer patient assistance fund. Tickets can purchased at Windstone Entertainment Event Center and Carrie's Hallmark, as well as through the St. Mary's Foundation.
"What St. Mary's is doing is going up and beyond helping people that need the help," Stone said.
Donna Westhues, a member of the St. Mary's Foundation Board, will be one of two emcees for the event, along with state Sen. Mike Kehoe.
Westhues said the event holds a personal meaning for her, as she is a three-time cancer survivor.
"Each time I am overwhelmed with the commitment that is made by six community leaders and six professional dancers," Westhues said.
This will be the third time the St. Mary's Foundation has hosted "Dancing with the Stars." The last fundraiser was in 2011.
To cast your vote for a $5 donation or to purchase tickets, visit stmarysfoundationjcmo.com.
Tickets for the matinee show May 14 are priced at $20. The May 13 show is already sold out, but a waiting list is available by calling 573-681-3742.