Dancing with the Martin Stars 2026 Raises $176,285 for Martin County Healthy Start Coalition 

Stuart, Fla. –The 15th annual Dancing with the Martin Stars brought fancy footwork, dazzling costumes, an enthusiastic audience, and a heightened community spirit to the Lyric Theatre on Sept. 26, raising $176,285 to support the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition.

 

Eight local celebrities along with their professional partners executed dances like the waltz, tango and cha-cha following months of rehearsals, fundraising and friendly competition.

 

“This is our signature event, and the energy surrounding its 15th year was truly incredible,” said Martin County Healthy Start Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich, “The dancers were at the top of their game, and the audience was captivated from beginning to end.”

 

Michelle Hance and professional partner Isabel Lowe earned top dance category honors for their performance of tango.  Zac Rockefeller was recognized as the evening’s top fundraiser after raising over $39,000. He also took home the People’s Choice awards with over 400 votes and he and his professional partner Emily Matos were named Overall Champions. This year’s judges were Petra Strom, Shelby Trembly, and Stephanie Martinez.

 

This year’s dancers and their professional partners were Michelle Hance with Isabel Lowe, Laurie Laramie with Daniel Elhaddad, Brooke Lewis with Brian Spector, Kalista Kaplan with Antonio Torres, Dr. Michelle Massa with Chris Waterman, Zac Rockefeller with Emily Matos, Pete Lashenka with Marianella Tobar, and Michael Sihvola with Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe.

 

Dancing is only part of the event’s appeal. Besides earning bragging rights for the best performance, dancers raise funds to advance Martin County Healthy Start Coalition’s vision of every baby born healthy, every mother supported, and every father involved. 

 

“The funds our dancers raise support our ongoing prenatal programs, including our MOM Mobile that takes prenatal care into underserved communities. They also help us move forward on our campaign for the Treasure Coast Maternity Center,” Suffich said, noting the additional strain on expectant mothers since the nearest labor and delivery hospital unit closed two years ago. In response, the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition is working to create the Treasure Coast Maternity Center, a community-based birthing center in Martin County. 

 

“We’re in awe of the energy and commitment that every dancer brought to the challenge,” Suffich said. “They are helping us change the face of maternity care in our community.”

 

Major sponsors for the 2026 Dancing with the Martin Stars event include Shaun & Paul Feinsinger, Bob Saxon Consultancy, Jensen Beach High School Drama, The Scoop, Ross Earle Bonan Ensor & Carrigan PA, Treasure Coast Ashley Capital, Closets by Design of Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, RE/MAX of Stuart, Paul J. Feinsinger, CPA, CFPA, The Eberst Law Firm, HBKS Wealth Advisors, Philip De Berard Family Foundation, Brooke Lewis- RE/MAX of Stuart, HCA, Florida Power & Light.  Culver’s of Stuart and Jensen Beach was the Title Sponsor for the evening.

 

For more information about the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition and the Treasure Coast Maternity Center, visit www.mchealthystart.org.

 

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. 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.