Parkdale Mills President Charles Heilig was light on his feet and heavy in his fundraising, and the latter helped him secure the title in the fourth annual Dancing for Future Stars competition in Gastonia on Saturday night.
Heilig, who performed with professional dance partner Zenaida Chandler during the event, raised the most money among the eight contestants. Bringing home the Judge’s Choice award was Spectrum Consultants President and CEO David Ratchford, who took the stage with professional partner Darinka Divljak.
The event raised $266,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Gaston and brought the four-year fundraising total to almost $650,000, said Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Tripp Hord. The club serves more than 800 local children.
“It’s a big win for the kids,” Hord said.
Here are some photos from the event.
Here is a list of the Dancing for Future Stars competitors and their professional dancing partners:
- Attorney Arcangela Mazzariello dancing with Joshua Love of J’Adore Ballroom
- Gaston Hospice communications coordinator Emily Craig dancing with David Whittington
- Pediatric Hands On Therapy owner Freida Smith Poag dancing with Jonathan Tabaka
- Attorney Ellen Hunter dancing with Bryon Chandler of Charlotte Ballroom Dance Academy
- Parkdale Mills President Charles Heilig dancing with Zenaida Chandler of Charlotte Ballroom Dance Academy
- Spectrum Consultants President and CEO David Ratchford dancing with Darinka Divljak of Metropolitan Ballroom
- Hagan Kennington Oil Co. Vice President Artie Newcombe dancing with Caroline Cox of Charlotte Ballroom Dance Academy
- Gaston County Schools nurse Fran Collins dancing with husband and Tabernacle Baptist Church Minister of Music Ricky Collins, choreographed by Dawn Smith Rickus from Extreme Talent Productions
Source: gastongazette