Theysa国际传媒檙e not your typical dancers, but theysa国际传媒檙e stars in the eyes of a local charity.
The dedicated work of Lisa and Dave Stephenson will hopefully raise $25,000 for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association (COHA).
A cause near-and-dear to Lisasa国际传媒檚 heart; she is a volunteer at COHA after her mother died in hospice care almost four years ago.
The Kelowna couplesa国际传媒檚 fundraising journey started several months ago when a friend asked Lisa if she would be interested in the event, Swinging with the Stars.
Recently retired from a career in the tourism industry, Lisa jumped at the opportunity Swing with the Stars, a fundrasing event for COHA.
sa国际传媒淚 was given the opportunity to dance with a choreographer or my husband, and be taught by a professional how to dance,sa国际传媒� said Lisa. sa国际传媒淪o I signed up me and my husband Dave.sa国际传媒�
A suit-and-tie professional for Sysco Foods, Dave was a little surprised that he was to swing about a room in front of strangers.
sa国际传媒淗e isnsa国际传媒檛 a dancer, but he is doing it for me,sa国际传媒� she explained. sa国际传媒淗e has been supportive of me and my journey with my mom. Isa国际传媒檝e been a volunteer with hospice for sometime since my mom passed and my family has been beside me the whole way. I couldnsa国际传媒檛 imagine doing this with anyone else but my husband.sa国际传媒�
The two have been practicing with coach Tina Mandl of Oranj Fitness in Kelowna.
sa国际传媒淭his is more about a competition of pride and raising the most money for COHA,sa国际传媒� said Lisa.
Performing as Danny and Sandy from the movie Grease, Lisa and Dave will dance to the song, sa国际传媒榊ousa国际传媒檙e the One that I Wantsa国际传媒�.
sa国际传媒淲e will be dancing for my mom Dianne, and also for all the loved ones our friends and family have lost.sa国际传媒�
For those that donate to the Stephensonsa国际传媒檚 and have lost a loved one, Dave will write their name on his leather jacket that he will wear the night of the show.
sa国际传媒淚t will be quite a moment when Dave walks onto the dance floor in that jacket,sa国际传媒� exclaimed Lisa.
Hoping for a final push to meet their goal, Lisa wants the public to understand how important COHA is to the region.
sa国际传媒淐OHAsa国际传媒檚 mission is to offer compassionate care, comfort, support and learning to those who are dying or grieving within our community,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淭heir vision is to create a community where no one has to die or grieve alone.sa国际传媒�
As a volunteer, Lisa is a part of many families journey at hospice and knows what they are going through and can help navigate the difficult path of death.
Swinging with the Stars takes place March 18, at the grand Okanagan Resort, tickets are $200 each with a $75 tax receipt.
To learn more about Team Stephensonsa国际传媒檚 story and to donate
For those interested in donating, your name will also be entered into a draw to win:
- Prestige Hotels and Resorts sa国际传媒� Two nights accommodation at one of the waterfront resorts (Sooke, Nelson, or Salmon Arm) valued at $600
- Kelowna Actors Studio sa国际传媒� VIP tickets for four including a show, dinner and wine, valued at $550
- Cactus Club (Downtown Kelowna) sa国际传媒� VIP food and beverage tasting for four, valued at $200
