Dancing United with the Starz ’16 brightens Tioga County

The Tioga United Way’s Dancing United with the Starz ’16 was a great success thanks to their generous donors, sponsors, volunteers and supporters. On Saturday, Nov. 5, 340 guests sparkled and squeezed into the Owego Treadway & Banquet Center in Owego.  

The Andrew Williams Quartet first entertained them, and then their attention was brought to the dance floor where Master of Ceremonies, Lew Sauerbrey and Disc Jockey, Mike Neil, kept the

audience engaged and grooving.  The highlight of the event was watching the 11 competing couples shake and shimmy.  

The couple that won the Judge’s Choice Award and received the highest scores was local realtor Jeri Sarrge, and Waverly attorney Frank Como, who danced a nuevo tango to Bajofondo’s Pa’Bailar.  

The couple that took home the People’s Choice Award and raised the most money was Owego

Kitchen’s Ike Lovelass and Tioga Opportunities’ Karen Harriell, who danced a jive to Huey Lewis’ “Hip to Be Square!”

The total amount raised from the event was $30,000, which will go towards the 30 partner agencies of the Tioga United Way.  

In attendance were Senator Fred Akshar, Assemblyman Chris Friend, Mayor Steve May, Tioga State Bank President Bob Fisher, Tom Ash Agency Owner Jenn Welch, as well as many friends and family who traveled from Tennessee,

Florida, Philadelphia, and elsewhere to support their favorite dancing couple.

The Tioga United Way would like to give special thanks to Anne Grant, Madison Hornick, Marilyn Fahey, and Betsy Snyder for volunteering their time and energy to make this event a success. 

If you would like to learn more about the 30 partner agencies of the Tioga United Way or if you’d like to volunteer to help at the next big fundraiser, the Adult Spelling Bee, send an email to tiogaunitedway@stny.rr.com.

In the meantime, the Tioga United Way is conducting their annual campaign so that those in need in Tioga County will be taken care of. To make a donation, visit tiogaunitedway.com.