Glitz, glamour and entertaining dancing all for a good cause was on tap for the Big Brother, Big Sisters of Erath County Dancing for the Stars event.
The annual event held Thursday, Nov. 3 showcased the talent of six couples from Erath – Team Thurman, comprised of James and Tracie Thurman – Team Tarvin, comprised of Bryan and Cassie Tarvin, Team Beach Party, comprised of Michael and Stephanie Beach, Team Ellington, comprised of Paul and Halen Ellington, Team Matai, comprised of Blessed and Sarah Matai and Team Johnson, comprised of Autumn Hall and Justin Johnson.
With more than $155,000 raised for the nonprofit, the annual DFTS event was a great success, and Executive Director Sarah Weaver could not be more pleased.
James and Tracie Thurman took home the mirror ball trophy as the winners of the event who received a standing ovation to their roaring 20s themed routine including a hip hop breakdown section to ‘California Love’ by 2Pac and Dr. Dre.
They received the first ‘10’ of the night.
“It was truly a great night for us,” Weaver said, both about the dancing and the success of the fundraiser.
Dublin’s businesses proved they too were supporters of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Erath County as Thompson’s Meat Market purchased a guest judges seat taken by Athena Dowell and Thomson Services and Prime Metal Buildings and Components were both sponsors of the event.
This year’s judges included Case Horton, Brent Graves, Katie Burr and Sherrie Evans as well as guest judges Athena and Kat, who took the seat purchased by Triple Crown Ford.
Since over 50 percent of those matched from Big Brothers, Big Sisters come from Dublin, Weaver said she would love to see even more donations come from Dublin, either from local businesses or through individual, reoccurring monthly matches.
Weaver said BBBS is in need of mentors, particularly men who can donate 30 minutes per week to showing a local child they care.
“It’s a super low time commitment,” she said, to simply pledge to have lunch once a week with a child.
For more information, visit https://www. facebook. com/ bbbserath/ or call (254) 918- 7295.
The application process for next year’s event is about to be launched, Weaver said, with training beginning in February.
Brittany Thurman and her instructors at Studio 6:14 Dance and Performing Arts trained the dancers, with weekly lessons throughout the year.
“To see our community come together and support our mission is truly amazing,” Weaver said. “I love our Erath community.”