For the first time, tickets are being made available to the public for the upcoming Dancing With Our Stars fundraising event for the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Typically tickets for the event are sold out moths ahead for the actual event. Red Cross Local Executive Debbie Smith said they are excited to offer tickets to the public for the first time in event history, starting Monday.
“As of this (Friday) morning we have 54 tickets that will be available for the public to purchase starting Monday,” Smith said. “Scheduled for March 19 at the Friend’s Community Center, a very limited number of seats are still available at the Red Cross office located at 1801 Robinson Avenue or by calling 740-354-3293 after January 18th.”
Smith said the Red Cross received a number of complaints in the past, because there were no tickets available to the public.
The 2016 lineup of DWOS dancers and partners include, Rick Ferrell, Singer/Songwriter and Kim Paige. Ryan Hall, Assistant Vice President WesBanco of Jackson and Rebecca Adkins. Amy Heim, dentist and Jeremy Slusher.
Chris Keeton, Family Nurse Practitioner at King’s Daughters Ohio and Dianne Coriell. Teresa Martin, local dentist and Darrell Yeley. Krista Putnam, Data Coordinator YEI Corp and Francesca Hartop.
Nick Rutman, Rutman Burnside Realty Group and Autumn Thompson. Ashley Schwamberger, Firefighter Portsmouth Fire Dept. and Ladd Dunham. Jessica Suber, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Southern Ohio Medical Center and Jared Jenkins. Tim Wells, Veterinary Technician and the Co-owner of Shawnee Animal Clinic and Julie Blackburn.
When asked about preparations for the event, Smith said things are really well and many of the dancers have upcoming fundraising events.
Upcoming events include, Nick Rutman, local realtor, is hosting an evening of great food from the Scioto Ribber with music by Shane Runion at the Portsmouth Brewing Company on January 30th. Tickets are $50 each are available by contacting Nick at 740.354-4663.
Tim Wells, co-owner of Shawnee Animal Clinic, is offering a wellness package for dogs and one for cats. Both packages include a wellness exam, full set of vaccines, fecal exam, full bloodwork, compete grooming, nail trim, bath, years supply of heartworm prevention and years supply of flea and tick prevention. Raffle Tickets are $20.00 each and both packages are valued at $650 apiece. Tickets can be purchased at Shawnee Animal Clinic.
In addition Tim and his dance partner Julie Blackburn, co-owner of 83 Sweets are hosting a family friendly, 80’s theme “Odd Ball” dance party on February 19th at the Portsmouth Welcome Center. The evening includes refreshments, contests and music by Franky Frank DJ. Tickets are $20 and available at Shawnee Animal Clinic, 83 Sweets, Neal Hatcher Real Estate and the Red Cross office.
Dr. Teresa Martin, owner of Scioto Smiles is raffling a “Reason to Smile” wicker gift basket valued at more than $500 and filled with everything from wine to an wide assortment of gift cards. In addition Dr. Martin is donating fifty percent of all whitening services from January until March 18th to the American Red Cross.
Dr. Amy Heim is raffling a lifetime of dental hygiene services including dental cleanings, hygiene exams and xrays. Raffle tickets are available for a $100 donation. Cash or checks made out ORV Red Cross that can be mailed or dropped off to Dr. Heim at 620 Washington Street or the Red Cross office at 1801 Robinson.
Singer/songwriter Rick Ferrell is offering a chance to win a personally autographed Epiphone acoustic guitar. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and are available at the Red Cross Office, Neal Hatcher Real Estate or by calling 740-464-5989.
Dancers have spent several months learning a dance which they will perform at Dancing With Our Stars 2016 and compete to raise the most money for the American Red Cross.
The person raising the most money between now and the end of the DWOS event will be awarded the fundraising mirror ball trophy.
There are a number of ways the community can help their favorite star, attend a fundraiser or cast a vote.
Each vote is in the form of a dollar that will be donated to the local chapter.
Online voting is available at www.crowdrise.com/dwosORV2016.
Funds raised by votes and dancers will support of the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Funds raised allow the Red Cross to provide local disaster prevention, preparation and relief programs. The funding also allow for the continuation of training in first aid, CPR/AED classes as well as a number of other services and programs.
The 2015 DWOS event raised more than $180,000 for the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Neal Hatcher a local realtor was awarded the Fundraising Mirror Ball Trophy by raising $106,000.
For more information visit the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross on Facebook or at their offices located at 1801 Robinson Ave, in Portsmouth, or call 740-354-3293.
