With passion, commitment, spirit, and fun, the 2015 Gala of the Stars contestants managed to dance with their hearts as well as their feet. For two months, they took ballroom dance lessons, campaigned for “votes”/dollars, and spread the story of Raise the Roof’s mission. On Nov. 13, in a gala event at The WoodWinds of Branford, these stars danced Raise the Roof to its goal of raising the funds to build its 12th Habitat for Humanity house—more than $60,000 was raised.

The 2015 stars were Eileen and Tom Banisch, Angela Clemmons and Peter O’Donnell, Deb and Russell Heinrich, Dodie Milardo and Will Gambardella, Nancy and Don Rankin, Heidi Voight and Todd Russell, Joy Grabow Weaver and Tom Scarice, and Grace Zhang and Alex Taubes. Instructors were from event partner Arthur Murray of Guilford.

Raise the Roof thanks all of the stars for putting their hearts into dancing to build a Raise the Roof Habitat for Humanity house, and the event sponsors and to all who voted in support of the dancers.

For more information, visit raisetheroofct.org for upcoming information about the 2 Strong Street, New Haven, groundbreaking ceremony and work opportunities.