5th Annual Dancing Stars of Greenwich Smashed Records with Raising Close to $200,000 for Abilis!

GREENWICH, Conn., September 27, 2023 —The 5th annual Dancing Stars of Greenwich tangoed its way to a big finish with a sold-out crowd, celebrity emcee Ali Wentworth and celebrity judges Brendan Fraser, Meg Tolin Piper and Eric “Champagne” Shoji, as well as 12 pairs of star dancers! The event, presented by the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich in support of Abilis, was a smashing success and raised an incredible $191,520 for Abilis, which will go toward supporting the acquisition and renovation of new program space for Abilis.

“This was one of the most successful Dancing Stars of Greenwich events ever,” noted Amy Montimurro, CEO of Abilis. “The glitz, the glamour and all of the dancers were phenomenal! All of us at Abilis are are beyond grateful that they danced their way to raising close to $200,000 for Abilis — it is incredible. The funds will go toward supporting a new building in Stamford that will house additional Abilis programs and services. We are so grateful for everything the Fred Astaire Dance Studio and all of the participants continually do to support Abilis.”

Winner of the coveted Mirrorball Trophy for best dancer went to Shari Aser of Greenwich, who danced to the theme song for Barbie with her dance partner and co-owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich, Elmar Schmidt. Winner of the People’s Choice award for most funds raised went to Elaine Madonna of Greenwich, who has danced in the event for several years, and this year participated with her dance partner Clemens Lengenfelder, co-owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich. Elaine Madonna single-handily garnered $25,000 in donations of the total amount raised at the event through her own fundraising.