COMMUNITY
Dancing With Saville
21
The Saville Center for Child Advocacy held their second annual “ Dancing With the Stars ” fundraiser on December 3rd . This fundraiser was created to help pay off the mortgage on the Saville Center ’ s brand new medical cottage . The medical cottage allows children of abuse to be examined in a state of the art exam room that is inviting for children .
Participants in the fundraiser were randomly given a partner and a dance style . Abbie Graves , owner and operator of Oklahoma Dance Project , choreographed each routine and practiced with each couple .
The night was filled with 10 dances from 20 Payne and Logan County locals . Audience members could donate money to each couple to vote for them as the Fan Favorite . Through ticket sales , fan favorite votes , and other donations the Saville Center raised $ 36,316.47 to put towards the new medical cottage ’ s mortgage .
Participants danced many styles throughout the night including jazz , disco , salsa , jive , waltz and more . Dancers practiced for multiple months prior to the event , dedicating a portion of their time to this non-profit .
“ This has been one of the best experiences ever and I feel so privileged to have made such good connections with everyone ,” said Aaron Matheson , third place dancer .
At the end of the evening the group danced together to “ All I Want for Christmas is You ”. They danced into the crowd collecting money for the cause one final time . At the end of the event first place was awarded to Jillian Detwiler and Matt Sullins who performed a medley from the hit musical “ Grease ”. The couple was also awarded fan favorite . “ We may have bought fan favorite ,” said Detwiler . “ But we earned first place .”
None of the couple ’ s hard work would have been possible without Abbie Graves . Graves donated over $ 10,000 of her time , choreography , and show skills to make this event possible for the Saville Center .
“ This has been one of the best experiences ever and I feel so privileged to have made such good connections with everyone ” — AARON MATHESON
COMMERCE | 2023 Profile Magazine of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce