‘Dancing With the Rockford Stars’ Nov. 23

‘Dancing With the Rockford Stars’ Nov. 23

By Peggy Werner

The red carpet will roll out for “Old Hollywood Glam,” the theme of this year’s Dancing with the Rockford Stars fundraiser for Family Counseling Services (FCS). Six couples will step up to the challenge of not only making the right moves, but also of raising money to benefit others.

The 12 th annual event is the largest annual fundraiser for FCS and will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Conference Center, 610 N. Bell School Road. Highlights include dinner, dancing, music and a live auction which features a piece of jewelry from Anthony Alexander Diamonds, a one-week Florida condo stay and more than 120 other items like spa days, sports memorabilia and artwork.

Stan Goral, FCS board member and chairman of the event planning committee, says interest in the event has grown each year. Dancers raise money by getting friends and family to sponsor them.

“The more people they know, the more likely they are to walk away as winners. Every dollar raised is a vote in their favor,” he says.

Luxe Productions will transform the Giovanni’s ballroom with spot, strobe and flashing lights to highlight the dancers’ performances. The dance floor will open up for all to enjoy following the competition.

The dancers compete not only for sponsors, but for one of two trophies: the Judge’s Choice Award for the best dancers and The People’s Choice Award for the couple that raises the most money.

FCS, 631 N. Longwood St., provides counseling, psychotherapy and family life education to individuals and families in Winnebago, Boone and Ogle counties. Their programs reflect a belief that early intervention prevents small problems from becoming worse. FCS offers services on a sliding fee scale, based on income. With no government funding, FCS relies on client fees, insurance, fundraisers, grants and contributions.

FCS Executive Director Dr. Susan Johnson says the money raised will be used to supplement the cost of counseling for people who otherwise can’t afford it or are not insured.

In existence for 142 years, FCS was approved to start taking Medicaid patients two years ago and this year more Medicaid services were approved.

From July 1 to Oct. 7 of this year, the agency saw 250 clients, 150 more people than during the same period last year. The Boone County office at 860 Biester Dr. in Belvidere also saw an increase.

“We see all kinds of people having all kinds of problems, including relationship problems, problems with their kids, problems because they don’t have their kids, depression, anxiety and everyone is struggling financially,” says Johnson.

“We all have to face difficulties, but how you handle problems makes all the difference and that’s how we try to help people, by showing them they have choices and options. As we get older, we see that our problems were not insurmountable, but it takes some maturing to get to that point. Sometimes, just having a positive relationship with someone can make all the difference.”

Dancers don’t have to know how to dance to help the cause.

Such is the case with Mike Rans, who’ll be dancing with his 13-year-old daughter, Maddie. He agreed to participate because he wanted to support a good cause and saw the event as a fun way to spend time with his daughter.

“Neither one of us is a dancer and I’m 100 percent out of my comfort zone, so it’s all new to me. People who know me won’t expect much from me on the dance floor, so I’m not worried about disappointing anyone. I just want to remember the choreography and not mess up the routine for my daughter,” says Rans.

Father and daughter are about halfway through eight weeks of dance lessons at Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Rockford, which partners with the event.

“We’re having a lot of fun and I actually look forward to the dance lessons,” says Rans. “Maddie gets to see a goofy, vulnerable side of me she doesn’t often see and she can be very shy, so she’s coming out of her shell. But what’s important is we’re doing this for a great cause. For that reason alone, I can power through it.”

Ellwyn and Gayle Englof of Rockford will also compete. Gayle is the retired, former owner of Home Environment Center and serves on the board of directors for the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. The couple takes every opportunity to dance socially.

“We’re a little nervous, but we’ll give it our best shot,” says Gayle. “It will be fun, but more importantly, we’re happy to be a part of helping out such a great organization.”

Other couples competing this year include Jeff and Sierra Kellen; Dan Conness and Sheri DeRosso; Lisa Johnson and Jarid Funderburg; and Thomas and Krystle Weightman.

Purchase tickets online at dancingwiththerockfordstars.com or call FCS at (815) 962-5585. Cost: $75 per person or $700 for a table of 10, before Nov. 1; $80 for individuals and $750 for a table of 10 after Nov. 1. ❚