The Pantry of Broward’s DWTS of Broward Event Raises a record $91,200 to Help Seniors in Need
Dancing with the Stars of Broward marked its fifth anniversary this month by raising a record $91,200 to help provide food and support services to seniors on low, fixed incomes and grandparents raising their grandchildren. The Pantry of Broward and The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL presented the glamorous event in the hotel’s ballroom, with hundreds of guests cheering for their favorite dance pair. QuinnProQuo was proud to partner with Smith & Knibbs PR to create the media strategies and social media campaign. Check out their Facebook page for photos and more! 
Competition was intense, as five community leaders and their professional dance partners performed in the event modeled after the popular national TV show. After weeks of tough training, each pair wowed the crowd with two high-energy dance routines. To win, the pairs had to dazzle the judges and audience — and have a strong showing in raising funds for the event.
Fort Lauderdale Country Club’s Kathy O’Brien and her dance partner Pablo Malco sizzled in disco and tango routines, showcasing precision and style to win the 2013 Dancing with the Stars of Broward championship trophy. Coming in a close second were Alyssa Lovitt of Timpano Italian Chophouse and her dance partner Bryant Williams.
Check out the Eye on South Florida Video HERE>>
This year’s celebrity competitors also included Chef Lee Blakley of Wines for Humanity, John Mabry of AutoNation and Luke Moorman of Carroll’s Jewelers. Co-chairs were Gale Butler of AutoNation and Jen Klaassens of The Wasie Foundation, who was a 2011 Dancing with the Stars of Broward contestant and a judge in 2012. Judges offering commentary on the routines were 2012 champion Susan Renneisen of The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Alex Matar, her professional dance partner from last year’s event, as well as 2012 Dancing with the Stars of Broward celebrity dancers Laurina Anderson, Johnny Williams and Katrina Wright.
“This year’s dancers, their fans and our wonderful sponsors all stepped up to make the event greater than ever,” said Penny Loughan, executive director of The Pantry of Broward. “The funds raised are vital to our mission of nourishing and assisting seniors who are struggling to get by and, in many cases, coping with the challenges of raising their grandchildren.”
In addition to presenting sponsor the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, major sponsors included Publix, AutoNation and The Wasie Foundation. Pernod Ricard USA and Wines For Humanity provided significant support, and other sponsors included BB&T, Bimini Boat Yard, BNETGraphics, Carroll’s Jewelers, Flowers & Found Objects, FastPrintz Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale Country Club, Miller Construction Company, Postal Centers International, QuinnProQuo, Smith & Knibbs Public Relations, Spector Law Offices, Timpano Italian Chophouse, and Eye on South Florida.
The Pantry of Broward, a non-profit organization, provides food and other support services to more than 425 clients and 166 grandchildren throughout Broward County. Founded in 2008, The Pantry of Broward agency is a nutritional safety net for local seniors in need, many of whom are raising their grandchildren. For information and volunteer opportunities visit on the web atwww.thepantryofbroward.org.
