Last night was a whirlwind of fun that left me completely breathless.  At the last minute, Brynn asked me to serve as her proxy and accompany Fitz for an evening at the Charles Morris Center to watch some of Savannah’s locally famous twist, twirl and tango across the dance floor.  And it was all for a good cause.

Local organization Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), took it to another level this year with Savannah’s first ever “Dancing with Savannah Stars.” A spin-off of the national phenomenon that is ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” CASA turned the Savannah fundraising paradigm on its head, approaching the often arduous task of asking for money from a different, fresher and decidedly more “active” perspective.

(having trouble viewing? Try the full sized slideshow.)

Eight recognizable Savannahians put their bodies to the test and their dignity on the line to raise money for children who need it most.  The line up was a start-studed one to be sure, including:

• Ice cream baron and blockbuster movie producer Stratton Leopold;
• CASA VP, Jeanne Seaver;
• SunTrust Savannah CEO, Kay Ford;
• GPA External Affairs Manager, Jamie McCurry;
• SCMPD Chief, Michael Berkow;
• GHS EVP, Laura Garcia-Culler;
• Junior League President, Lynn Brennan;
• Savannah Children’s Choir Director, Roger Moss.

Like the real “Dancing with the Stars,” each participant was paired with a professional or veteran dancer and spent months practicing a different style of dancing.  The work paid off for all of them, as each one wowed the crowd with their poise, footwork, rhythm and choreography.

Seriously people, I haven’t been inspired by moves this much since “Dirty Dancing.”  And, now that I think of it, there was alot of sultry, saucy and sexy going on last night.  From the American Waltz to the Cha-Cha to the Argentine Tango, the partners were well-paired and had Fitz blushing more than a few times. No one was hotter than Lisa Clark, Vice President of Marketing and Technology at United Way of the Coastal Empire - and professional dancer, and her partner, Police Chief Michael Berkow.  Their Argentine Tango took the thermostat up a notch. FOXY.

Roger Moss and his partner also brought the house down with hotness, leaving guests and onlookers with gaping mouths and wide eyes as they shook it Mambo-style.  Who knew Roger was the double threat?  Singing AND dancing - what a catch! For their electrifying performance they took home the second place award, sharing that honor with one of our best buds, the always lovely Laura Garcia-Culler and her partner Cletus Bergen for the ever-technical American Tango.  Jamie McCurry took third place, with their dramatic dance to “Golden Eye,” complete with Bond-esqu suave and style (including gold-studded faux gun and knife!)

As for the winner?  Drumroll please…

Sweeping the field with a perfect 10, was Kay Ford, President and CEO of Suntrust Bank, Savannah.  Dancing to the swing in a World War-era hot nurse costume, she rose above the typical banker stereotype and brought the crowd to their feet.  It was awesome.

But, of course, the big winners last night were the children (they are our future, after all.)  The event raised more than $30,000 to support CASA’s programs, ensures that children in foster care have courtroom advocacy and access to services and resources.  Their well-trained volunteers are the voice for children in the courtroom, advising the court and keeping the child’s needs and wishes at the forefront of considerations regarding his or her future.  The organization provides an innovative, cost-effective solution to an urgent crisis in the juvenile justice and foster care system and certainly put on an innovative and spectacular fundraiser.

Thanks to CASA and all the dancing “Stars” for putting the FUN back in fundraiser. Now, how can I get in for next year?!

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