Winners cowned in 15th Annual Dancing with Our Stars competition

Winners crowned in 15th Annual Dancing with Our Stars competition

Hillside Food Outreach raises $30,000 to combat food insecurity

Winners Billy Clifford and Dolly Zurzusi

Hillside Food Outreach recently hosted its 15th annual “Dancing with Our Stars” competition at The Summit in Danbury, attracting more than 100 supporters to the ballroom and raising $30,000 to combat food insecurity in the community. All proceeds from the benefit support the nonprofit’s mission to provide high-quality, nutritious food to thousands of low-income families, seniors, and the chronically ill each month.

Four champions showcasing the most dazzling dance moves were crowned by a panel of judges amidst cheers and applause from the crowd. Billy Clifford and Arthur Murray dance pro Dolly Zurzusi wowed the judges with their Country Medley dance to Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake it for me),” while Shelly Hardie and Arthur Murray Danbury owner Andy Cabel scored high with their Swing performance to Glen Frey’s “The Heat is on.”

Taking home the Peoples’ Choice Awards – the dance duos who generated the most votes and fundraising dollars from the audience – were Stacey Cohen and Denzel Santos, who stole the show with their Hustle/Merengue style dance to Maroon 5’s “Moves like Jagger,” while Michael Grace and Yulya Zubava mesmerized the crowd with their Argentine Tango & Paso Doble to “Spanish Tale for Two.”

All of the participants partook in weekly dance lessons for three months at Arthur Murray dance studios, and were partnered with their instructor for the competition.

Peoples Choice Winners Michael Grace and Yulya Zubava

Kathy Purdy, CEO and Founder of Hillside Food Outreach, expressed immense gratitude to all who supported the 15^th Annual Dancing with Our Stars competition. “Dancing for a great cause is about as good as it gets, and this annual event directly helps change lives and offer hope to so many neighbors in need. Access to nutritious food is a right that everyone deserves, but unfortunately food insecurity is at a decades-long high, and too many vulnerable members of our communities are forced to choose between eating healthy or paying for basic necessities.”

Hillside is a delivery-only food pantry providing high quality, nutrient-dense foods, staples and essentials to nearly 1,000 households and over 2,000 individuals across Westchester, Putnam and Fairfield Counties, including elderly residents who find it difficult to travel and carry grocery bags; those who are housebound due sickness or disability; and people with health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension who require nutritious diets. The nonprofit fills the nutrition need while establishing both connection and engagement with those feeling hopeless, alone, or forgotten.

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