Despite the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prince George Hospice Society is optimistically planning the annual “Boogie with the Stars” New Year’s Eve gala.
Although postponed in 2020, the annual event has been a presence in the community for 11 years, hosted by local dancers Paz Milbourn and Peter Wheedon.
“What is unique and different about this gala, and what we are so excited about, is there are four charities that are being supported,” explains Donna Flood, Executive Director of Prince George Hospice.
“We just wanted to get out to the community that we are optimistic that we will see an end to the restrictions and we will be able to gather again. When that happens we want to bring all these charities and their dancers together.”
The charities participating in the event include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC (BIGSNBC), the Prince George Symphony Orchestra (PGSO), the Prince George Humane Society and, of course, the Prince George Hospice Society.
“Each charity will raise whatever money their dancers raise and that money stays directly in the community,” explains Flood, adding the event will take place Dec. 31 at the Prince George Civic Centre, if the facility is able to open by the planned date.
“A letter has been put into the Mayor asking that if restrictions are lifted, can we book it then, and we are pretty optimistic they will say 'yes.'”
Angela McLaren, Executive Director of the Humane Society, will also be dancing in the competition with partner Julia Dilabough.
“I thought it would be a good opportunity to get fit and support the organization that I am passionate about,” says McLaren.
“COVID has impacted charities across the board and I think we have all felt the effects of that on our donor funding.”
BIGSNBC says it is also excited about participating in the event once again with Executive Director Tim Bennett having been a previous competitor alongside his wife.
“One of our board members and her husband, Chelsea and Andrew, are competing for us and I know that they have been dancing in their living room,” says spokesperson Jane Gauthier.
“We are really excited to be a part of the event again. Just like everyone else COVID-19 has made it more challenging to fundraise so this is a really good opportunity for us to take part in a community event and raise a little money.”
PGSO Director Teresa Saunders says the organization not yet announced its dancers, but is excited to participate alongside the other charities.
“We are very proud, for 50 years now, this little orchestra-that-could has been performing for the people of Prince George. Although we appreciate all of the different charities that work in Prince George we are proud to be a part of this.”
Until Dec. 31, the dancers will be asking the community to support their fundraising initiatives with 100 per cent of the money raised by the teams earmarked for their specific charity
This year, there will be three prizes dancers will have their eyes on, including best overall dance numbers, most money raised and fan favourite where the community will vote on their favourite dance couple.
“We are pushing ahead for New Year’s Eve and if it turns out to be not quite ready yet, we will just push it into January or whatever it is, but if you leave it and all of the sudden in December we get the go-ahead, it would be too late to do anything,” notes Wheedon, in regards to planning the event during COVID-19.
“If anyone really wants to dance give us a call. We can find them a charity or bring them in so we certainly invite anyone that wants to dance to let us know,” Flood added.
“We are really looking forward to being able to gather again, dance and support these four charities.”
To keep up to date with the event, you're encouraged to follow Boogie with the Stars on Facebook and Instagram.
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