Local celebrities showed off their smooth moves at the 12th annual Hosparus Health of Southern Indiana’s Dancing with our Southern Indiana Stars fundraiser on Sept. 11, raising more than $300,000 for hospice patients and families in Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, Washington, Dubois, Perry, Orange and Crawford counties. More than 700 guests enjoyed an evening of music, fun, food and drink at Huber’s Orchard & Winery, as well as bidding on exciting items in both a silent and live auction.

Dustin Korb, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and logistics/shipping clerk at Beach Mold & Tool Inc., was named the winner of this year’s dance competition. Korb raised more than $90,000, the most of all the dancers in the competition and the highest amount raised by any dancer in the history of the event. Korb danced a cha cha number accompanied by professional Viktoria Szukk. In total, the seven celebrity dancers raised over $200,000. Over the past 12 years, the event has brought in more than $1.6 million for Hosparus Health patients and families in Southern Indiana.

Other dancers and their pros were:

• Jason Applegate, co-owner of Extol Magazine and candidate for Floyd County Commissioner, danced a samba with Cherie Lanier.
• Dan Farmer, lead singer for The Juice Box Heroes, danced a cha cha/salsa/hip hop fusion with Cherie Lanier.
• Bridgett Hanlon, regional director, marketing and community outreach, at Clark Memorial and Scott Memorial hospitals, danced the rumba with Damian Pataluna.
• Jill Peden, director of business development at L&D Mail Masters Inc., danced a waltz with Damian Pataluna.
• Dr. Toni Sartini, DMD, FAGC at Smile Dentistry PSC, danced the hustle with Clay Marshall.
• Ray Strothman, president and chairman of Strothman and Company CPAs and Advisors, danced the American tango with Irina Morozova.

The event was organized by a dedicated committee of volunteers, including co-chairs Tammy Balmer Stuart, Pam Lumley and Carrie Magers. Items up for bid included an 18K rose gold diamond pendant, a pro dunk basketball goal with installation, an overnight stay at French Lick Resort with a stylish Corvette for traveling, a Peek-A-Boo lake party for 10, a three-hour performance by the local Juice Box Heroes at Covered Bridge Golf Club and a wine tour and tasting at Huber’s, plus gift cards for restaurants, theater performances, museums, theme parks and other local attractions and more.

Juanita and Bill Beach were the presenting Foxtrot sponsor for the event. The event’s Cha-Cha sponsor was Clark Memorial Hospital, and Tango sponsors were Koetter Woodworking, Strothman and Company CPAs and Advisors, Monroe Shine & Co. Inc./Roger and Karen Harbeson.

Thanks to everyone who made the event a huge success!