NEW Dancing With Our Stars kicked off its 2025 campaign this week for its third annual ballroom dancing event featuring eight participants, each supporting a different local nonprofit.
This year’s participants will spend the next several months fundraising for their charities while learning a ballroom dance to perform at a showcase event on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The participant who raises the most money for their charity will take home a coveted mirrorball trophy.
Read on to learn more about this year’s NEW Dancing With Our Stars participants.
You Belong
Bethany Allcox will be dancing in support of You Belong, an organization that provides services and programs for individuals living with disabilities and their families and caregivers.
“Bethany loves dancing almost as much as she loves glitter…” Allcox’s statement read. “You Belong’s goal is to build an inclusive community through learning, play and friendship that empowers and enriches the lives of families of young children, people living with disabilities and their caregivers. Bethany goes to You Belong to have fun, make friends and learn new things. You Belong has many groups and they want to make sure people of all abilities are included in everything.”
Unity Grief and Education Center
Jenny Boeckman will be dancing in support of Unity Grief and Education Center, an organization that aims to offer a wide variety of grief support services to all in the community who have experienced a death.
“My husband promised that at some point in our marriage, we would take dance lessons. 22 years later, he made good on that promise when the Fred Astaire Dance Studio opened just down the road in Allouez. We were surprised when we actually enjoyed it — it wasn’t easy, it was super uncomfortable, nothing came naturally and we were definitely not good, but we had a lot of fun,” Boeckman said. “When the opportunity came up to combine that love of dance with Unity Grief and Education Center, I was all in. Most people know about Unity from hospice and while that’s true, we also provide non-medical home care, palliative care and have two resale shops. But the care that we provide that is closest to my heart is the support that’s offered at Unity Grief and Education Center.”
Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin
Katie Hess will be dancing in support of Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin, an organization that provides a community for individuals and families affected by autism and the professionals who serve them.
“I’m with the Autism Society, but I also have two nephews with autism, and that’s one of the reasons why I really wanted to do this,” Hess said. “When this opportunity came up, it actually was proposed to me by friends of mine. I was nervous and excited, but I realized that without good friendships and having the right people around you, it’s harder to make good things happen… One of the things that the Autism Society does is bring people together… Through an event like this, we can promote the things that people aren’t aware of or that they haven’t heard of before. Having this opportunity to really let people know who we are and what we do and the services we provide so that we can connect them with other people… and connect them to the services that they need… I’m really happy to be here.”
Play-by-Play Theatre
Carolyn Silverberg will be dancing in support of Play-by-Play Theatre, the area’s first professional regional theater company which puts on plays and musicals, offering local performers and crew the opportunity to work alongside professionals.
“After a lifetime in the professional theater world, my dad wanted to bring that experience to Green Bay by creating an opportunity where local talent could flourish alongside professionals. He believed in the power of theater to transform communities and he poured his heart into making that a reality…”
Silverberg said. “For the last ten years, we’ve been quietly making waves in Green Bay from our now beloved Shakespeare in the Park productions to our recent educational program in elementary schools. We’re committed to making theater accessible and engaging… I am obviously thrilled to have this opportunity to bring awareness to Play-by-Play, our little theater company with a big heart.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin
Tom Schmidt will be dancing in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin, a youth mentoring organization.
“I’m happy to be here and to be a part of this tremendous group on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters,” Schmidt said. “Mentorship is something that was really important to me growing up and to do something this uncomfortable, you’ve got to be passionate about it. Growing up, my teachers and coaches and my parents helped shape who I am today. Big Brothers Big Sisters does that for our community and helps our community for the future.”
Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project
Dan Terrio will be dancing in support of Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, an organization dedicated to documenting, preserving and celebrating the heritage of local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
“Green Bay has always been home — it’s where I spent 14 years of my life, where I built a career and went to college… Green Bay also holds a significant part in my life because it’s where I stepped into LGBTQ+ history. In 2020, a simple Facebook post changed my life for the better. My coming out story went viral. While my moment was freeing, I didn’t realize the impact it would have on Northeast Wisconsin, especially in terms of visibility and representation for LGBTQ+ people… I saw young people struggling with their own identity feel seen and represented in leadership, and that’s why I’m thrilled to dance for the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project.”
We EmpowHER
Juliana Vanlaanen will be dancing in support of We EmpowHER, an organization providing women and children with a safe, supportive community where participants are encouraged and empowered.
“Juliana is very passionate about supporting women and children who have gone through different obstacles in their lives and it is my honor to have her as a board member for We EmpowHER. We are so delighted to have her dance for us,” said Theresa Menting, executive director of We EmpowHER. “This event is making it possible for her to expand our Fond du Lac location into a location in Green Bay… Here in Green Bay, we will have our mentor/mentee program for women and children and be able to help them overcome different obstacles in their lives by connecting them to resources and community partners and by being a voice when someone doesn’t feel like they have anyone in their lives.”
Journey to Adult Success
Tom Verbrick will be dancing in support of Journey to Adult Success, an organization which provides a pathway to self-sufficiency for youth who have aged out of foster care.
“If you remember where you were at 18 years old, you were not ready to take on the world,” Verbrick said. “These youth that we support are, in a sense, very strong. They’re incredible individuals, but they’re very lost, some of them, too.
We give them an opportunity to have a safe environment to learn how to grow and give them teaching and support on how to become an adult… A good strong start is always the best way to get things going. It’s going to be fun to dance on stage. I’m really looking forward to it.”
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