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09/17/2015 12:01 AM

Local Stars Dancing for the Cause


Peter Konow, left, owner of the Arthur Murray Dance Center franchise in Guilford, poses with staff members Emily Bonner and at right, Gabriel Geist and Mary Jacq Kirchhoff in March 2014.

A television news personality, a local school superintendent, a professional singer, a former state legislator, an author, a theater director, and business and community leaders are busy shopping for dancing shoes and making their way to the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Guilford. Raise the Roof, the Shoreline connection to Habitat for Humanity, has invited a group of stars—community leaders passionate about making the world a better place by providing opportunities for families to own safe, affordable homes—to dance and compete with a special fundraising twist.

They are helping to build a Habitat house in New Haven.

The stars are learning choreographed ballroom routines suited to their personal styles during ten private lessons provided by Arthur Murray of Guilford, Raise the Roof’s Event Partner. The dancing stars will perform on Friday, Nov. 13 at Raise the Roof’s Gala of Stars: Dancing for the Cause at The WoodWinds of Branford. The stars are competing for “votes” (dollars = votes) and their dancing is raising funds for the building of the next Raise the Roof Habitat for Humanity house. The dancing couple that receives the most “votes” will be named the winner and will receive the grand-prize 2015 Shoreline Stars trophy. Voting takes place online and will stay open through the Nov. 13 gala performances. Donate to vote at raisetheroofct.org, where there is also information on how to make a donation and vote by mail.

A group of celebrity judges will present special awards the night of the event. In addition to the dance performances, gala guests will enjoy a plated dinner, along with time for their own dancing and to mingle with the stars. Raise the Roof’s stars have been invited because of their leadership, heart, and commitment. These stars are dancing to build a home for a deserving family. Tickets to the Gala of Stars: Dancing for the Cause can be purchased at raisetheroofct.org.

This information was provided by Raise the Roof.

A Habitat for Humanity crew on the Guilford Green building a wall that will be used for a new home.