Sheetal Mangalat said her daughter has “forbidden” her from using certain dance moves when she competes August 27 in the Dancing for a Cause fundraiser, often referred to by event organizers as “Gainesville’s most important party.”
Mangalat, a retired pediatric hospitalist, is one of ten “celebrity” dancers paired with professional dancers for a night of dancing and fundraising for three local nonprofits: Alliance for Literacy, Center Point, and Rape Response.
The competition follows a similar format to the popular ABC show Dancing with the Stars. Dancing for a Cause is returning after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic; this year marks the seventh competition.
“In a previous life, I did mostly Indian dancing like folk dancing [and] Bollywood-style dancing, not classical,” said Mangalat. “I’m hoping to infuse just a move or two from that into my routine.”
The celebrity dancers, five men and five women who are active in the Gainesville-Hall County community, have from now until the night of the competition to fundraise.
Their goal is to win the coveted disco ball trophy, which is awarded to the dancer with the highest combination score for dancing and fundraising dollars.
Barbara Fleming, executive director for Center Point, said dancers often use a variety of fundraising efforts to capture the trophy.
“They do auctions, they do raffles, they host events, they have friends host events on their behalf,” said Fleming. “They do all kinds of things for fundraising.”
Fleming said dancers also raise money through selling table sponsorships at the event. Proceeds benefit the three nonprofits organizing the event.
Dancers will learn who their professional dance partner is at the end of May and receive ten hours of dance lessons. Fleming said the partners work together to decide their own music, choreography, and costumes.
Jason Dunckel, a salesman at Wilheit Packaging and one of the male celebrity dancers, said he already has an idea for his dance.
“I’m leaning towards maybe doing a swing dance…see how that works out,” said Dunckel.
Dancers can also win the community star award on the night of the competition, which goes to the pair with the overall highest judges’ score.
Community members can donate to celebrity dancers by reaching out directly to the dancer or by clicking on their profile at dancehallcounty.com.
Dancing for a Cause 2022 is scheduled for August 27 at the Chattahoochee Country Club.
The celebrity dancers include:
- Jamey Prickett
- David Smith
- Tracy Troutman
- Callie Hughs
- Katie Allen
- Jason Dunckel
- Wendy Fountain
- Mark Linkesh
- Sheetal Mangalat
- Robert Jones
