7th Annual SwingShift and the Stars aim for $1 million mark

Grand Traverse Insider - Published: Sunday, September 14, 2014

By Karin Beery

Contributing Writer

Courtesy photo Dance partners Liz Reincke and José Lopez meet for the first time at this year’s kick off last month. The couple will be dancing for the Justice for Our Neighbors organization.

TRAVERSE CITY – SwingShift and the Stars Dance-Off for Charity swings into its seventh season this month as six new stars compete and raise awareness for six new charities. This year includes some new faces, familiar events, and the $1 million mark.

Created in 2008 by Judy Harrison, the dance-off is a unique fund-raising event based on the TV show “Dancing with the Stars.” As lead singer for the High Impact Productions band SwingShift, Harrison decided to combine her love of music with her heart for helping others by bringing together local stars to raise awareness of and funds for local charities.

In six years the event has raised more than $971,000 for local organizations. More click here

Some News from around our region - 21 July 2014

Some of the articles that have appeared in local press around this time:

Grand Traverse Insider

Come Run with the Bear ! - Click here

By Kristine Morris
Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy Lynn Becker Kids get ready to run with “The Bear” during a previous Annual Running Bear 5K Run/Walk and Half-Mile Kids’ Run, sponsored by the Glen Arbor Women’s Club. The event is a fundraiser for local scholarships. All are invited to participate in the race this year on July 22.

Popular 5K Run/Walk is a family affair

GLEN ARBOR – The Glen Arbor Women’s Club is hosting the 8th Annual Running Bear 5K Run/Walk and Half-Mile Kids’ Run on Tuesday, July 22, and there’s a reason this event is so popular with local residents and visitors: it makes everyone feel welcome. Click above for more ....

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United Front - Click here

By Kristine Morris
Contributing Writer

Wounded Warrior Project Logo

BARC and TRAMPS team up for Wounded Warrior Project

REGION – Local promoters of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), an approved 501(c) (3) organization, are launching a campaign this summer to raise funds for wounded veterans and their families.

Two local chapters of the national Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the Benzie Area Radio Control club (BARC) and the Traverse Area Model Pilots Society (TRAMPS), are joining together to initiate a fundraising campaign that will run through the summer and culminate in a free model airplane show to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Thompsonville Airport.

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Leelanau Conservancy preps for Friends Picnic and Auction - Click here

By Kristine Morris - Contributing Writer

Photo by Carolyn Faught The Leelanau Conservancy’s Annual Friends Picnic and Auction provides a Kid’s Tent with crafts, Legos and other activities supervised by staff from the Leelanau Children’s Center. Kids will also be able to go on a scavenger hunt. “We love to see young families getting involved with the Conservancy as they are the future stewards of our peninsula,” said staffer Jenee Rowe.

LEELANAU – The Leelanau Conservancy’s Annual Friend’s Picnic and Auction will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7 at the Gregory Family’s enchanting “Top of the World” property northwest of Suttons Bay.

Pre-Picnic hikes and field trip will be held from 3-5 p.m., and the Picnic Dinner begins at 5 with a Social Hour featuring Leelanau wines and creative appetizers made from local products by area chefs. Silent Auction bidding will take place during this time. For more click above.