YMCA Announces Winners 2024 YMCA Dancing for a CAUSE

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The dance floor was again shining brightly as local community stars Danced for a CAUSE. The Woodlands Family YMCA is excited to announce that more than $61,000 and many new friends for the Y was raised at the annual YMCA Dancing with The Woodlands Stars held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott on April 26. This annual event featured local leaders as the live dance entertainment. The Woodlands Fred Astaire Dance Studio, partnered with the Y, to provide the dance partners, lessons and choreography for the community stars.

Each year, volunteers take to the dance floor to compete for votes, shine the light on the Y’s Cause and raise funds for The Woodlands Family YMCA. Every dollar raised from the purchase of tables, seats, auction items and votes goes to the YMCA Annual Be the Change Campaign, which makes community-strengthening Y programs such as swim lessons, after school care and youth sports available to everyone regardless of age, income or background. Over the past decade, more than ½ Million $$ has been raised, on this special night in April, to keep the YMCA’s mission at work to serve the needs of the families living in the communities of Montgomery County and bring real change to issues affecting our neighbors. The Y is so much more than a Place . . . We are about PEOPLE and a PURPOSE with a commitment To HELP remove the limits, barriers and obstacles to Re-Imagine Opportunities . . . lessons, after school care and youth sports available to everyone regardless of age, income or background.

“Every dollar donated helps us keep the YMCA Available to All. Every dollar donated will help the YMCA serve an additional child and Multiply Our Impact in 2024 and make a real difference for people living in our community. Everyone, regardless of financial resources, should have access to the Y programs and services to help them reach their fullest potential,” said Blake Kelly, YMCA Community Development Director. We are very excited by the success of our ninth annual YMCA Dancing with The Woodlands Stars and extremely grateful to all of our sponsors, patrons and the generous community stars who stepped into the spotlight to make this fun and cause-driven event possible.”

The dancers who raised the most funds, Dancing for a CAUSE and took home top honors and mirror ball trophy were:

• First Place Overall Winner: Roxanne Davis and dance partner Jesus Cortez
• Runner Up: Kendall Dimick and dance partner Peyton Clark
• Honorable Mention: Jill Campbell and dance partner Ben Seifert

These three amazing community leaders raised over $41,000 as they lit up the dance floor with their grace and generosity shining the light brighter on the YMCA’s Impact in our community.

The esteemed panel of judges featured Judy Olson, Miguel Lopez and Scott Harper who selected the winners in the following categories.

• Best Use of Music: Cherie Diehl and dance partner Jesus Cortez
• Crowd Pleaser: Melanie Davis and dance partner Jesus Cortez
• Best Costume: Taylor Coibion and dance partner Mariela Aviles
• Judges Award: Danielle Comeaux and dance partner Ben Seifert
• Best Choreography: Bryan Hill and dance partner Peyton Clark

Other highlights included an encore performance and video from YMCA Bright Life Adaptive Needs Group and a special
performance featuring The YMCA Sassy Seniors.

Together we Strengthen Community. Thank you to our generous Sponsors: Chesmar Homes as the Presenting
Sponsor; Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands and Better Bookkeepers.

A special shout out to our esteemed emcees Barry Blanton and Zach Richmond. A special thank you to our Community
Partners for their support: The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in The Woodlands, Andy
Audio and Bella Media.

To learn more about the YMCA Annual Be the Change Campaign, which ensures that everyone, regardless of age,
income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive at the Y, visit ymcahouston.org.

If you are interested in sponsor opportunities or dancing as a community star at The 10th Annual YMCA Dancing with
The Woodland Stars 2025 event contact Blake Kelly, blake.kelly@ymcahouston.org or 281-367-YMCA.