Tri-City Health Center Serving the Underserved Since 1970

Dancing With Your Local Stars 2009

Putting the FUN back in Fundraising!

For the fourth year in a row, this unique event has been held at The Saddle Rack, generously donated by Niles Rotarian Gary Robinson. Patterned after the popular TV show, local business and civic leaders are paired with professional ballroom dance instructors for a lively evening of dance competition. Energetic audience participation makes for a memorable, high-energy night. Ballroom dancing at a Country Western Club...what could be more fun?

Five Brave Dancers

Five local celebrities unleashed their inner child to learn the sultry moves of Salsa, Swing, and Tango, and professional dance instructors opened their hearts and studios to provide dance lessons free of charge. Each dance instructor was charged with teaching and choreographing three unique routines for their celebrity dancer. Each couple danced with such glee and individual style that it was a pleasure watching and cheering after each number. We saw hidden talents exposed on the dance floor... Who knew there was a closet dancer hidden inside that quiet guy?? How about those daring dips in that tight, short, dress?

Local Celebrities 2009

This year's dancers included: Nittra Foreman, Chef and co-owner of Papillon Restaurant; Dirk Lorenz, Fremont Flowers; Nina Moore, Fremont Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Vera Packard, Executive Director, HERS Breast Cancer Foundation; and Ruth Traylor, Director of Community Affairs, Washington Hospital.

For the 3rd year in a row, Daren Young of Dryco Construction, Inc. served as emcee.

Our Judges panel included Kim Douglas, President, Board of Directors, Tri-City Health Center, Dominic Dutra, the 2008 "Dancing With Your Local Stars winner" and Steve Kinney, former Chicago Bears football player and President of the Northern California Chapter of the NFL Alumni Association. Thanks again to our local celebrities for making this event a big success!

So Who Won?

Ruth Traylor, Director of Community Affairs, Washington Hospital and her professional partner Richard Lane, were the winning couple. (Richard was also the winning instructor in 2007.) After an impressive Salsa and Swing and a dynamic Tango, they clinched the title of King and Queen of the Ballroom. This year, despite a sluggish economy, the event raised more than $23,000, all of which supports the programs and services offered by Tri-City Health Center. Kathy Lievre, CEO and Executive Director of Tri-City Health Center, is pleased with the results. "Community-based health clinics such as Tri-City Health Center often look to the community to help fill the financial gap when faced with budget and funding crises. I'm especially grateful to the local businesses, restaurants, and other social service agencies in our community for their continued support". Dancing With Your Local Stars has indeed become a signature event for Tri-City Health Center. Y'all come next year, y'hear?? Kick up your heels and join the fun!

Business Community Donations

Members of the business community have consistently supported the event, from attending in large numbers to root for their favorite dancers to providing in-kind donations. For example, all floral arrangements and dancer bouquets were generously donated by Lisa and Dirk Lorenz, of Fremont Flowers. The unbelievable balloon decorations were donated by Barbara Oliveira of Barbara’s Events by Design.

The food was a community effort, provided by a variety of restaurants. This year's food selection was deemed "the most delicious" and "an impressive variety of choices!" Many thanks to the following generous restaurants who all provided tasty treats:

Of course, this event would not have been possible without our professional dance instructors who spent six weeks and countless hours teaching and choreographing three unique dances to their intrepid dance partners. The fancy footwork awards go to: Adrian Flores of Adrian Presents Dance Studio; Bill Ranells, Fred Astaire Dance Studio; Ivan Spanov, Premiere Ballroom Dance Studio; Richard Lane, Richard Lane Studios; and Chantale Cabildo, Steps, Styles and Spotlights

Thank you to our Sponsors, who generously contributed to our success!

• Baron’s Jewelers
• Barbara’s Event’s by Design
• Bibbero Systems, Inc
• Community Health Center Network
• Dryco Construction, Inc
• Fremont Chamber of Commerce
• Fremont Flowers
• Kaiser Permanente
• The Saddle Rack
• Papelle Photographie
• Pat's Health Matters Cable Show
• Unitek College