CASA Dancing stars announced

DANBURY TOWNSHIP — With the start of the school year comes many new things — new backpacks, clothes, a route or a new school. For seven “celebrities” of Ottawa County, fall means breaking in a new pair of dancing shoes for a good cause.

The competitors in this year’s CASA “Dancing with the Stars” met for the first time on Wednesday night at the Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast in Danbury Township.

This year marks Season 8 of the program, which benefits Ottawa County Court Appointed Special Advocates, a group of volunteers who advocate for county children in the court system.

Connie Cornett, executive director, thanked this years competitors for committing to raise money for the group and taking time to work with a professional dancer on a song, routine and performing at Camp Perry in late November.

“This is a our biggest event for fund-raising,” Cornett told the group. “It’s a big commitment.”

This year’s participants are Tom Allen, a 25-year Kroger employee; Dawn Fitt, pharmacist at Bassett’s Market; Joy Cress, owner of Joy & Company salon; Jackie Macko, Oak Harbor Middle School secretary and village councilperson; Jim Deer, with First National Bank; Madeline Jividen, of Audra’s Florals; and Kevin Peters, who was unable to attend.

The group ranged from those who were very confident in their dancing abilities to those who only danced after having a few drinks. All agreed they were in it to help the children of Ottawa County and support a good cause.

“This is my first time dancing in front of a large group,” Jividen said. “I’m going to channel my inner Lady Gaga.”

Deer, who moved the area several years ago and took over at First National Bank in January, said he was no stranger to making a fool out of himself, as he participated in community theater in Upper Sandusky for more than 30 years.

“It’s about raising money for CASA and helping the community,” Deer said.

Macko, who had a double-knee replacement in December, intends to take it easy and focus on the fund-raising aspect of the event.

“I took tap dancing as an adult, it was super fun,” Macko said. “But I don’t look at anyone at competition. This is for the kids.”

Cress, who regularly watched the popular ABC program the event was inspired by, said she was very excited to learn to dance. She recently started ballroom dancing and hopes it will help her.

Each competitor will sell tickets to the event and raise money for CASA. The person who raises the most will win the competition.

Fitt has already scheduled a fundraiser for her part, hosting an Ohio State Buckeye tailgate party at the Catawba Island Town Hall on October 21 at noon.

Allen, who told the group he loves to dance, was confident he’ll be taking the Mirror Ball trophy on the big night.

“I’m going to win,” Allen said. “I know it.”

Dancing with the Stars will take place on November 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Camp Perry. Tickets are available at the CASA office in the Sutton Center in Port Clinton.

jdenton@gannett.com

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Twitter: @jessicadentonNH