Dancing with the Martin Stars 2025 Dazzles the Audience and Exceeds its Fundraising Goal for the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition
Stuart, FL -- Fabulous footwork, glittering costumes, and enthusiastic supporters came together at the 2025 Dancing with the Martin Stars event to create a goal-smashing fundraiser for the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition.
Eight local volunteers took center stage at the Lyric Theatre on Saturday, September 20, to show their skills at dances like the waltz, the samba, and the tango. Each of them have other demanding careers within the community, but they became dancing stars for the evening. Paired with professional dance instructors, they trained for several months for the fast-paced competition to win bragging rights as top dancers, but also to raise funds for the work of the nonprofit.
More than $222,000 was raised. “For 14 wonderful years, our community has come together to support mothers, fathers and babies across Martin County,” Martin County Healthy Start Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich said. “The funds we raise through this fun event go directly to our vision of ensuring that in Martin County, every baby is born healthy, every mother is supported, and every father is involved.”
Alex Pope, Development Manager for the Southeast at Shoulder Innovations and co-owner of The Scoop ice cream shop, and professional dancer Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe brought the audience to their feet with a foxtrot. The team won both the People’s Choice Award and also Top Dancing Team. The First Runner Up Dance Team was Daniel Wade and Marianella Tobar; the Second Runner Up was Fida Georges and Angel Tamayo.
Mirella Daru, an agent with RE/MAX of Stuart’s Susan Maxwell Team, and dance instructor Brian Spector were awarded Top Fundraisers. The First Runner Up Fundraising Team was Fida Georges and Angel Tamayo; the Second Runner Up Fundraising Team was Alex Pope & Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe.
Judges for the competition included Alannah Ghazal, a real estate professional and tango dancer; Charles Jones, the lead singer of the Charles Jones Trio and operator of Cdj Entertainment Inc.; and Kira Whatley, a member of StarStruck Academy and Theatre and a teacher of the performing arts. Father Christian Anderson from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and last year’s overall winner for dancing and fundraising, emceed the evening.
“We’re grateful to everyone who contributed to this amazing event,” Suffich said. She reminded the packed house that for the first time in generations, there is no longer a local labor and delivery unit in Martin County. “Through our fundraising, we are planning to return these vital services at the Treasure Coast Maternity Center, a community-based birthing center. We welcome the support to make this vision a reality.”
The Martin County Healthy Start Coalition expressed its thanks to all of its sponsors and supporters, in particular RE/MAX of Stuart - Susan Maxwell Team, Rommel Wilson Memorial Fund, Inc., Gordana Uscumlic Foundation, Diana Soriano Risk Strategies | Gehring Group, and Circle 6 Consulting.
For more information and event photos, visit https://www.mchealthystart.org/dancing-with-the-martin-stars/2025-stars-dancers/.
About Martin County Healthy Start Coalition
Martin County Healthy Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every baby is born healthy. It provides educational and health services to pregnant women, new mothers and their families at no cost, particularly expectant mothers who are at risk for late or no prenatal care.
Part of a statewide coalition, Healthy Start connects pregnant women and young mothers with essential services including prenatal care, home visitations by a nurse or social worker, breastfeeding support, parenting education, car seat and sleeping safety, a free diaper pantry, and access to other community partner agencies through the Betty Moore Prenatal Outreach Center. The David Cardno Fatherhood Initiative, also part of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, helps fathers to become more involved in parenting and offers legal assistance to fathers who are separated from their children.
The programs of Martin County Healthy Start Coalition are voluntary and available to all Florida residents at no cost.
For more information about Martin County Healthy Start Coalition and its ongoing programs, visit www.mchealthystart.org, call 772-463-2888 or follow the organization on Facebook.