Wayne Allen | Daily Times

Amy Hassel and Dr. John Turjoman during the Dancing with our Stars event Friday evening.

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Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

The Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross held the 2013 Dancing With Our Stars event Friday night at the Friends Center with a sellout crowd. At the event, Amy Hassel and Dr. John Turjoman were named this year’s winners.

The event featured a number of local celebrities who were paired with local dancers competing for the title of DWOS Champion.

“This is by far the biggest fundraiser the Red Cross has ever had in this area,” said Mary Arnzen, Director of the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. “All of the proceeds from this event will help our local chapter serve both Pike and Scioto County as we prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”

According to Vicky Hatcher, the event coordinator, more than $10,000 had been raised on votes casted before the start of the event. In total Hatcher said more than $30,000 has been raised over the course of the event.

The local stars participating in the event included Jason Hanley, owner of Party Pros, Marty Redden, Fire Safety/Emergency Management Manager at USEC, Elizabeth Blevins, Director of Communications for Shawnee State University, Barb Borden-Gibson, Project Director of the Scioto County WIC Program/Registered Dietitian, Wendi Waugh, Administrative Director of Southern Ohio Medical Center Cancer Services and Community Health and Wellness.

Also competing were Elizabeth Scott, Community Relations for Fluor-B&W Portsmouth, attorney Jeremy Burnside, Clyde Fenton, Optometrist/Band Leader, Nathan Bennington, Diagnostic Radiologist at SOMC and Amy Hassel, Owner/Stylist Gabby’s Grand Salon.

Upon being announced the winners of the event, Hassel said, “It’s been a phenomenal experience. I had a wonderful partner Dr. Turjoman, he’s my next door neighbor and a great friend. It (the experience) was well worth the effort.”

Turjoman said, “The whole group was a wonderful group of people. We worked really well together, we all worked very hard and enjoyed ourselves and have made some new friends.”

Dr. Nathan Bennington and his partner Debbie Kielmar took home the, People’s Choice award. The award was give to the dancers, based on their performance during the event.

Bennington said he was humbled by the experience.

“I’m glad everyone enjoyed the show and liked our performance enough to vote for us. It’s very much an honor to be here and do this for such a good cause,” Bennington said.

Organizers with the event announced Dancing With Our Stars will return for a second year in 2014.

For more information visit the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross offices at 1801 Robinson Ave, in Portsmouth, www.redcross.org/oh/portsmouth or call 740-354-3293.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or tallen@civitasmedia.com.