Beckley, WV (WOAY) United Way of Southern West Virginia Executive Director Trena Dacul: “Our fundraising total for Dancing with the Stars is $216,179!”
On Friday night, the main floor of the Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center was packed with people there to support their favorite local celebrities at the United Way of Southern West Virginia’s Dancing with the Stars. Six pairs of local stars spent months leading up to the competition practicing their dance routines and, more importantly, fundraising for the United Way’s community support efforts in southern West Virginia.
All six teams collectively raised over $216,000, not including donations given on the night of the event. WOAY’s own Brandee Lawrence and returning dancer Chaz Turner gave a performance that earned two well-earned tens and an 8.5 from the judges.
Turner continued the pair’s fundraising efforts that night by auctioning off the opportunity to cut his long hair. He said that he would do it all again and encouraged everyone who wants to do good for their community to go for it no matter what stands in the way.
Chas Turner: “If you’re really considering, ‘gosh, I could do it, but…’ don’t think about the ‘but.’ Make it happen. Like, we can make it happen. Like, there’s a United Way family for you to make it happen.”
Turner said he was impressed with how much Brandy put into the competition, despite joining a few months into the season.
“Brandy just picked it up and made it happen in two and a half months. It’s unbelievable what Brandy did. It was so much fun, dancing with her. So much fun raising money for the United Way. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Awards were given for judges’ choice and people’s choice. Megan and Franklin Buckner won the people’s choice award with a total of $89,140 raised.
Trena Dacul: “And the community wins with people like this who work so hard for our community. This money is going to be reinvested for the folks that you know in Southern West Virginia.”
For information about their programs and future campaigns, visit unitedwayswv.org.
