DFTS Raises Over $10,000

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The annual Dancing For the Stars event brought talent, laughter, and donations, as the event raised over $10,000 for the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties on Thursday, February 26.

“We raised a total of $10,860 – all of that money will go back into our surrounding communi- continued from page

ties to help those in need,” United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties Executive Director Patricia Dixon remarked.

During the event, Dixon also commented on the Power of the Purse members – women who pledge to donate at least $500 per year to the organization to help fund the many agencies supported by the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties. Dixon explained that the Dancing For The Stars event is a “thank you” gala for these donors, and that the effort is led by longtime Power of the Purse Chairwoman Lucy Whigham.

“Thank you, Lucy, for all that you do,” Dixon said. “She lives Power of the Purse year-around – not just during [United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler] campaign time. We really appreciate her.”

Five couples took the stage to show off their best and most theatrical performances, each vying for the highest scores and most money raised through votes, which cost $1 each. The judges’ scores counted for 40% of the total score, while the money donated through votes for each couple made up 60% of the total score. In the event of a tie, the winner was determined by the amount of money raised by each couple.

Michael Lane, Sara Brown, and Olivia Warnock served as the evening’s judges, and Bill Torrance and Beth Busch kept the evening lively with their commentary as the evening’s emcees. Accountant Mike Calhoun was the official tallier of the votes, as he made sure every number crunched in the process was correct.

Ultimately, it was Emma Pittman and Jason Newton who went home with the trophy, as the pair took the audience “Dancin’ In the Country” with their performance to the hit song. The duo’s mix of country swing dancing and enthusiasm garnered them scores of 8, 9, and 8 from the judges, and numerous monetary votes from the audience who were captivated by their performance.

Caleb Williams and his mother Renae Braddy lit up the floor with their classic hip hop performance to “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa. This motherson duo kept the crowd cheering with their routine, which earned all 10’s from the judges.

Kaneesha Love and Fred Anduze paid tribute to the King of Pop as they mixed Cuban flair and even a little tap dancing – to a medley of Michael Jackson’s hits. Their smooth moves and musicality left the audience begging for more, garnering a perfect score from the judges.

Gerriell Craig and Meka Cook took the audience on a blast from the past, as they boogied to a Double Dutch Bus remix. The pair reminded attendees that no one is ever too old or cool to groove, as the judges each gave the duo a vote of 7.

Terrell and Cristen Hughes performed a tribute to Deadpool Vs. Wolverine with their recreation of “Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC. The couple showed off their athleticism and rhythm through a combination of tricks and classic moves. The team received scores of 7, 8, and 7 from the judges.

While officials worked to tally votes, HIVE Dance Collective Instructor and Seasonal Universal Studios Professional Dancer Madeline Wolfe performed a contemporary piece for the audience.

Dixon and Dancing For the Stars Event Chair Kelly Stuckless emphasized that all money collected through votes and donations during the evening went directly to the organization, as the event had been fully paid for by its many sponsors. Those sponsors were Presenting Sponsors Dot Foods, Paul Thigpen Automotive Group, Peoples Bank, Southern Nuclear Plant Hatch, and Trane Technologies; Tango Level Sponsor Community Hospice; Jitterbug Level Sponsor Chicken of the Sea; Foxtrot Level Sponsors Ameris Bank and Vidalia Federal Savings Bank; Waltz Level Sponsor Dr. John and Ursula Spence; and Rumba Level Sponsors The Dahlia Event Center and EZE Photography. Dancing For the Stars is held each year for Power of the Purse members to raise money for the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties. To learn more about the event or this organization, call (912) 537-2776.

TALENTED COMPETITORS – This year’s Dancing For the Stars competitors brought a variety of styles and skills to the competition, as the talented dancers performed to raise money for the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties. Front Row, L to R: Caleb Williams, Renae Braddy, Gerriell Craig, Meka Cook, Jason Newton, Emma Pittman, Fred Anduze, Kaneesha Love. Back Row, L to R: Cristen Hughes, Terrell Hughes.Photo by Barry Dotson

AN EXCITING WIN – Excitement erupted from the crowd and competitors as emcees announced Jason Newton and Emma Pittman as this year’s Dancing For the Stars Champions.Photo by Makaylee Randolph

NEVER TOO OLD TO BOOGIE – Gerriell Craig and Meka Cook reminded the audience that you are never too old to boogie with their dance to a remix of Double Dutch Bus.Photo by Evan Riekhof

DEADPOOL VS. WOLVERINE – Terrell and Cristen Hughes performed their own version of Deadpool Vs. Wolverine’s “Bye Bye Bye” scene.Photo by Evan Riekhof

DFTS CHAMPIONS – Jason Newton (right) and Emma Pittman (left) took home the ultimate honors, as they were named the 2026 Dancing For the Stars Champions.Photo by Makaylee Randolph

TRIBUTE TO MJ – Fred Anduze and Kaneesha Love showed off their dancing skills through a variety of styles, as they performed a medley of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits.Photo by Evan Riekhof

PUSH IT – Caleb Williams and his mother Renae Braddy gave an electrifying performance to “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa.Photo by Evan Riekhof