Dancing for a Cause 2016 was a hit. Thank you to our sponsors, contestants and volunteers. What a fun evening!”Keri Payne, The Factory Dance Productions co-owner
CULLMAN – On Saturday night, April 2, the inaugural Dancing for a Cause charity event took place at the Cullman High School auditorium. The event was hosted by The Factory Dance Productions and was set up like a local version of “Dancing with the Stars.” People from throughout Cullman County competed, all to raise money for their favorite charities.
“Each group of ‘celebrities’ from the community had to come up with their own theme of what they want to do,” said Jamie Helms, dance mom. “It’s like an eclectic mix of people. The judges were from out of town so obviously they are not biased; they will choose the winners. The money going to the winning charities came from our sponsors, ticket and T-shirt sales.
“This is the first year we have done this,” she continued. “Keri Payne, The Factory’s co-owner, has done it four years in a row in Ft. Payne. It’s been a big hit. It’s real fun; we have people doing hip-hop, musical theater up to ‘Toy Story.’ I saw one of the acts beforehand and it was so funny, I was laughing tears!”
The contestants and the charities they represented were:
- Richard & Beth Collins, representing the Children's Leukemia Foundation, honoring East Elementary student Kaeden Dawson
- Ty Parker & Alex Raper, representing St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Jessica & Shane Posey, representing Hand in Paw, in memory of Colton Evans
- Tim & Kathy Thornhill, representing the Crosshaven Church Mission Fund
- Shannon & Kati Hale, representing Master Hands
- Dr. Tom Montgomery and Sarah Montgomery, representing the ALS Society
- Andy & Liz Page, representing Cullman Caring for Kids
- Leslie Dyer, Jamie Dillenger, Carrie Taylor & Kallie Flynn, representing Cullman Caring for Kids
- Adam McGee & Katie Burney, representing the Michael and Sara Heatherly Medical Fund (childhood cancer fund)
- Kent & Mimi Weir, representing St. Vincent de Paul Society
The judges scored the contestants on overall entertainment value, not dance technique. The winners received a large donation to their charity. The People's Choice winners were voted on by the audience; they also received donations towards their charities. The remaining money was distributed among The Factory dancers to help pay for regional and national traveling expenses.
The night’s winners were Ty Parker and Alex Raper, who represented St. Jude. The runners-up were Andy and Liz Page, who represented Cullman Caring for Kids and the People’s Choice Award went to Kent and Mimi Weir, who represented the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
“Dancing for a Cause 2016 was a hit,” said Payne. “Thank you to our sponsors, contestants and volunteers. What a fun evening!”
“Very entertaining,” said audience member Kay Shabel. “Who knew we had so much talent in our small town!”
The Factory’s first ever Dancing for a Cause combined the art of dance with community involvement and produced a very entertaining evening for all who were there. Three wonderful organizations received much needed donations. It was a winning night for everyone involved.
The Factory Dance Productions is located at 802 Main Ave. NE in Cullman. For more information about their dance classes, call them at 256- 841-1900 or visit their website at www.thefactorydance.com. Also be sure to follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thefactorydanceproductions.
