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10/04/2018 12:01 AM

Raise the Roof Takes It to the Dance Floor Again


Hannah Lewis and Dylan Richmond, both 16, are Daniel Hand High School juniors in Madison. Both are members of the Daniel Hand Habitat for Humanity Club, love to dance, and believe helping others is integral in being a good member of the community. They say they hope to raise awareness among their peers at school as well as others in the community to help those in need. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Raise the Roof, the Shoreline Habitat for Humanity connection, has a reputation for taking it to the dance floor to get the building and the party started, and this year it’s throwing its fourth annual Gala of Stars: Dancing for the Cause. Raise the Roof defines “stars” as community leaders passionate about making the world a better place, and this year’s stars fit the definition perfectly. They have accepted the invitation to step onto the dance floor to help provide families with the opportunity to build and own safe, affordable homes. Their dance lessons have begun, and they are already competing with the event’s special fundraising twist. They are dancing to build a Habitat for humanity house. Learn more about the stars and their reasons for dancing at www.raisetheroofct.org.

Introducing Raise the Roof’s 2018 stars:

• Hannah Lewis and Dylan Richmond

• Pem McNerney and David Bell

• Emily and Rob Nolfo

• Lisa Rollins and Jeffrey Johnson

• Tammy and Chris Stemen

• Kim and Todd Steward

• Gini Vancil and Arthur Wilkins

• Sarah and Todd Vetter

• Malenky Welsh and Schuyler Beeman

The stars are learning choreographed ballroom routines during 10 private lessons provided by Arthur Murray Guilford, Raise the Roof’s event partner. The dancing stars will perform on Friday, Nov. 9 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 take home the grand-prize Shoreline Stars trophy. Online voting has begun and will stay open through the Nov. 9 gala performances. Donate to vote and support the stars at www.raisetheroofct.org.

A group of celebrity judges will present awards for the best performances the night of the event. Scot Haney of WFSB Channel 3 Eyewitness News will add to the fun as the emcee. Don Epperson, Sr., past Raise the Roof board president and longtime Habitat for Humanity volunteer, is the honorary event chair. Gala guests will enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a three-course plated dinner, and time to strut their own stuff to some great music. Tickets can be purchased at www.raisetheroofct.org.