Voting for Favorite ‘Take the Lead’ Dancers Starts March 22

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 22, 2010 - WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.  — March 22 marks the day Winston-Salem can log onto www.taketheleadws.com and cast $10 votes for their favorite dancing “stars” — the city’s well-known personalities who are willing to step on a few toes to help others get back on their feet. All of the money being raised through the Take the Lead dance competition is for the Bethesda Center for the Homeless, the largest emergency day and night shelter for men and women in Forsyth County.

“Winston-Salem is the City of the Arts, and during a time when so many are suffering from economic hardship, these community ‘stars’ have aligned to build awareness and support for the homeless population by taking to the dance floor,” said Mike Ryan, executive director of Bethesda Center. “The funds raised through ‘Take the Lead’ will help Bethesda maintain our present operation and prepare us for what we anticipate: significant increases in the numbers of men and women becoming homeless and an increase in the demand for our services due to a challenging economy. So we want everyone to vote early and often!”

Celebrity dancers in the competition are teamed up with professional dancers, similar to the popular television show “Dancing with the Stars.” Each couple chooses a dance — ranging from a traditional waltz or cha cha to a dynamic, Zumba®-inspired performance— and will show off their moves on the dance floor at the May 6 finale in downtown Winston-Salem at the Embassy Suites.  

“I am really looking forward to ‘Taking the Lead’ on behalf of the Bethesda Center and the homeless community in Winston-Salem,” said Mayor Allen Joines, one of the celebrities who is joining in the fun. “I know I’ve got my work cut out for me on the dance floor, but every step I and the other dancers take is one more step toward supporting all of the people and the organizations who make Winston-Salem a thriving and dynamic city.”

The goal of Take the Lead is to raise $100,000 for the Bethesda Center, which served more than 600 of the community’s homeless during 2009, and has assisted nearly 200 men and women in moving from shelters into their own housing during the last three years. Take the Lead will be the largest fundraising event in the Bethesda Center’s history. The dancing “stars” will raise money by recruiting friends, family members and others in the community to purchase $10 online votes — the cost to Bethesda Center of providing one day and night’s shelter, supplies and food. Online voting is done at  www.taketheleadws.com.  There is no limit to the number of times or the number of dancers an individual can vote for.

Kevin Miller, a zumba instructor and piano teacher who moved to Winston-Salem three years ago when her husband was transferred with Media General, said she was excited about this fundraising effort that showcases the city’s arts heritage. “The amount of talent in this city is overwhelming,” she said. “We are so blessed with this extraordinary arts atmosphere. I love the Bethesda Center’s cause, and this is a fantastic event because it is not a typical fundraiser. It is fun and current, and I am thrilled to be a part of Take the Lead.”

Voting begins March 22 and continues until the day of the final event on Thursday, May 6, 7:30 p.m., at the Embassy Suites. All of the dancers will perform at the finale, and the pair of dancers with the most votes will be named winners of Take the Lead. Tickets to the event are $25 per person and can be purchased online at www.taketheleadws.com or by contacting Clyde Manning, director of development for Bethesda Center for the Homeless at (336) 722-9951 ext 414.   Businesses are encouraged to sponsor a table in support of the Bethesda Center.


About Bethesda Center for the Homeless
Bethesda Center for the Homeless is the largest emergency    shelter for men and women in Forsyth County. Bethesda served more than 600 of the community’s homeless during 2009, and has assisted nearly 200 men and women in moving from shelters into their own housing during the last three years. Visit www.bethesdacenter.org.


“STARS” Participating in Take the Lead Winston-Salem   
o   Mayor Allen Joines of Winston-Salem
o   Mrs. Gordon (Copey) Hanes
o   Busta Brown, 97.1 Radio Personality
o   Karen McNeil-Miller, President of Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust Foundation
o   Jennifer Averill, Wake Forest University Field Hockey Coach
o   David Piner, President/CEO of Arbor Acres
o   Miriam Hernandez, Hispanic Interaction owner
o   Kenny O’Neal, Owner of Kenny O’s Family Fitness
o   Anna Ball Hodge, Realtor, Leonard Ryden Burr
o   Hilary Kosloske, Managing Director, Scott & Stringfellow
o   Kevin Miller, Zumba Instructor
o   Guy Arcuri, Community Volunteer
o   Suzanne Ramm, Community Volunteer
o   Kathy Zagoria, Teaching Artist with Dancing Classrooms
o   Ann Holton Guill, Director of Dancing Classrooms North Carolina Pilot
o   Greg White, Resident at the Bethesda Center

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10588132/1