WATSEKA -- Iroquois County Sheriff Detective Eric Starkey and dance instructor Amber Gunther danced their way to a first-place finish Saturday evening in the annual Dancing for the Stars event in Watseka.
Iroquois Sexual Assault Services (ISAS) held its 3rd annual Dancing for the Stars Event at the Watseka High School. Five area dance partners vied for top honors to support the important work provided by the agency.
According to Marcie Sheridan, Executive Director of ISAS, the event raised $12, 400, an increase of $1400 over last year and an increase of $4,000 over the first year. “The support from the community has been amazing” said Sheridan. “We are so grateful to the dancers, who were so enthusiastic and put so much time and hard work into this.”
Along with the entertainment value of the event, ISAS was able to convey the message that services are available close to home for those in the area who have experienced this terrible crime. Public Service Announcements were unveiled after the intermission with messages from the Iroquois county Sheriff Derek Hagen and the Iroquois County State’s Attorney Jim Devine. One of the evening’s chief sponsors, WGFA Radio is providing air time for the PSA’s over the next three weeks to continue to get the message out.
This year’s event was organized by ISAS staff Kami Garrison, Community Education Coordinator and Tammy Barragree, Medical/Legal Advocate.
ISAS expressed its thanks to the sponsors of the event, WGFA and Iroquois Federal.
Winners for the night were:
Judges Choice: Det. Eric Starkey/Amber Gunther
Audience Choice: Dr. Rod Yergler/Angie Hasselbring
Best Costume: Amber Webber/JoeEshelman
Cutest Couple: Coach Steve Lucas/Michelle Brutlag
Most Original: Brittany Cluver/Jose Fuentes
Most Enthusiastic: Coach Lucas
