As Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County’s largest fundraiser, the ninth annual Dancing with Our Stars succeeded in raising more than $150,000 to support Hamilton County residents who are elderly, disabled, and homebound by delivering nutritious meals, reducing hunger, improving health, and promoting independence.
The event, held at the at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Noblesville, pairs local professional dancers with some of Hamilton County’s most-recognizable residents competing for the ultimate prize of being titled “Dancing with Our Stars Champions 2023.” Audience members voted for their favorite dancers to win the night’s People’s Choice Award.
This year’s Judges’ Choice (male) title went to Alec Wolf (a member of Wolfpack Restaurant Group). He presented an award-winning salsa with pro dancer Kristen Motz to Gloria Estefan’s Conga. Wolf also captured the most audience votes (dollars!) taking first place bragging rights in the People’s Choice Award.
The 2023 Judges’ Choice for a female dancer went to Debby Pileri, a competitive amateur tennis player and USTA umpire. She and pro partner Scott Shook heated up the floor with a tango/cha cha to “Devoured.” With that victory, Shook claims the title of a five-time Judges’ Choice winner for Meals on Wheels Hamilton County Dancing with our Stars.
Coming in second in the People’s Choice award was Jody Adams of Napleton Auto Group dancing the hustle/cha cha with Natasha Cox to “Move Your Body.” Not far behind in votes was third place People’s Choice winner Lindsey McVey (owner of Just Lagom) and pro partner Rob Jenkins who
put a country spin on the east coast swing to Shania Twain’s “Don’t Impress Me Much.” Other Hamilton County “celebrities” include:
● Sherese Martin – HR manager at Rolls-Royce, part-time HR director with Conduct Curb
Autism Behavior Center, and associate faculty member at IUPUI
● Deb Kurtock – Senior clinical research advisor at Pearl Pathways
● Mimi Huang – Ophthalmologist at 20/20 Eye Physicians
● Andrew Bradford – Vice president and chief advancement officer at Conner Prairie
Museum
● Steven DeLee – Physician with Riverview Health
● Kyle Moser – Co-owner of Dance Innovations Performing Arts Center in Westfield
Other professional dancers participants included: Adam Trogdlen, Ed Godby-Schwab, Xavier Medina, Natasha Cox, Yulia Shook, Diana Miller, and Olga Cansino.
Community Health Network served as Presenting Sponsor for the third consecutive year. Platinum Rumba Sponsors include Lake City Bank, Napleton Automotive Group, Riverview Health and Wolfies Northern Woods Grill. Gold Bolero Sponsors include The HoneyBaked Ham Co. and Current in Carmel. Silver Tango Sponsors include Five Star Senior Living, KSM CPAs & Advisors, the Fields Group, Boomerang Development, Conduct Curb and Gibraltar Design.
About Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County
Established in 1975, Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County supports individuals who are elderly, disabled and homebound by delivering nutritious meals, reducing hunger, improving health and promoting independence. Meals are prepared in state-approved healthcare facilities and designed
by a certified registered dietitian under a physician’s prescribed supervision according to the client’s specific dietary needs. Nearly 200 meals are delivered daily by volunteers to enable our clients to remain independently living within the community in their own homes for as long as possible. For more information on receiving services or to volunteer, contact Meals on Wheels at 317-776-7159.