Printer Friendly Version - Shoreline Stars Take to the Dance Floor

The 2017 Gala of Stars will take place in November, but there will be plenty of time before that to cast a vote. Left to right: Cathy and Steve Lynch, Helen and Marco Rizzo, Ginger and Milton Brasher-Cunningham, Danielle and Tom Pettit, Emily Connelly and Steven Kao, Brenda and Gary Naegel, Kippie and Gregory Martin, Andrea Kaye and Matt Meskill. Not pictured: Jil Grey and Peter Mohrer. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Once again, Shoreline stars will take to the dance floor for Raise the Roof’s third annual and signature event, Gala of Stars: Dancing for the Cause. Raise the Roof defines “stars” as community leaders passionate about making the world a better place. This group fits that definition exactly and has accepted the invitation to step onto the dance floor to provide a family with the opportunity to own a safe, affordable home. Their dance lessons have begun, and they are already competing with this event’s special fundraising twist. They are dancing to build a Habitat house. Learn more about them and their reasons for dancing at www.raisetheroofct.org.

The stars are learning choreographed ballroom routines during their 10 private lessons provided by Arthur Murray Guilford, Raise the Roof’s Event Partner. The dancing stars will perform on Friday, Nov. 10 at the Gala of Stars: Dancing for the Cause at The WoodWinds of Branford, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. 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 dance couple that receives the most votes will win the grand-prize Shoreline Stars trophy. Online voting has begun and will stay open through the Nov. 10 gala performances. To donate to vote and support these stars, visit www.raisetheroofct.org.

A group of celebrity judges will also present awards for the best performances the night of the event. In addition to the dance performances, gala guests may enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a three-course plated dinner, and time for their own dancing. To purchase tickets, visit www.raisetheroofct.org and have the honor of seeing and applauding the dancers as they step onto the dance floor to build a home for a deserving family.

Cathy and Steve Lynch are Madison residents and realtors with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Emily Connelly and Steven Kao are seniors at Daniel Hand High School (DHHS) and the founders of the DHHS Habitat Club. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Ginger and Milton Brasher-Cunningham are dancing for the cause. Ginger is one of the ministers at First Congregational Church Guilford. Milton has worked as a minister, a high school English teacher, a chef, a writer, a trainer for Apple, and an editor, and he is now adding dancer to his resume. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Helen and Marco Rizzo are honored and excited to be dancing in support of Raise the Roof. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Danielle and Tom Pettit are among Raise the Roof’s 2017 stars. Danielle is the owner of Studio Z Fitness II in Branford. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Kippie and Gregory Martin bring their love of dancing and the steps they learned from more than 30 years of marriage to help Raise the Roof, the Shoreline Habitat connection, provide a family with the opportunity to own a safe and affordable house. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Brenda and Gary Naegel of Madison have their dancing shoes on, ready to step onto the dance floor to build a house. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Andrea Kaye and Matt Meskill are two Guilford friends teaming up to dance for Raise the Roof’s cause. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof