YORKTON - The Yorkton Ballroom Blitz edition two was held Saturday raising more than $85,000 for seven local charities.
"Think of the popular show 'Dancing with the Stars' and put it into a local context. Basically, we ask well-respected, well-known people from the area to consider their role in the community, the impact and influence they have and use that to do something good for others," said Jason Trost, Event Co-ordinator, in a previous Yorkton This Week article.
The event had local Yorkton ‘stars’ paired with dance instructors and together they performed for the sold out audience at the Gallagher Centre Flexihall.
In the end it was the duo of Vanessa Andres and Wade Windjack dancing for Bruno's Place-Prairie Harvest Community Center taking top spot.
Windjack is a repeat winner. He and then dance partner Lorie Walsh topped the first edition of the event which overall raised $75,000.
“It’s awesome,” said Windjack of Saturday’s repeat win.
Andres echoed her partner’s feeling regarding the win.
“It just feels amazing,” she said.
Asked his secret to dancing success Windjack simply replied, “I’ve had some really good partners.”
Andres said the process has been a long one, noting they began back in November, then ultimately scrapped the initial routine, coming up with the one they performed only a few weeks ago.
“We changed our routine in February,” she said with a smile.
As for their choice of Bruno’s Place Andres said there is obviously a need, and the facility fills that by supporting those who need some extra help.
“Some people need real support,” offered Andres.
Other dancers and their chosen charities were:
* Dr. Peter Van Rensberg and Lauren Denesyk who the judges (and audience) unanimously chose as the best dance routine. They were supporting the East central Health Foundation.
* Roby Sharpe and Kaely Neibrandt for Yorkton Minor Football.
* Bailey Decker, Jensen Trost and Madison Litvanyi were dancing for the Dementia Friendly Life Enhancement Program by SaskAbilities.
* Chris Turcot and Carrie Pengilly supporting Paws & Claws.
* Tribal Chief Isabel O’Soup, Chief Connie Big Eagle and Mike Parmar supporting the GSSD Foundation and Food Security Programs.
* Dustin Breaers and Danielle Rands for Parkland Search and Rescue.
The ‘celebrity' judges were Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley, Tammy Kostersky and Mike Stackhouse.
