A group of local “stars” will vie to shine brightest, when they strap on dancing shoes for Statesboro’s first ever celebrity dancing competition next month.
      Prominent personalities from the local community will pair with professional dancers to raise funds for Safe Haven of Statesboro through the organization’s ‘Dancing with the Statesboro Stars’ competition Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. inside the Emma Kelly Theater.
      “The Dancing with the Stars event is going to be a fun event,” said Laurie Bradford, a counselor with Safe Haven, which helps victims of domestic violence and their children throughout Bulloch and surrounding counties. “We have gathered 11 professional dancers in our area and matched them up with 11 stars in our community to learn and perform 90-second dance routines.”
      “The night of the show, the couple that gives the best performance – according to a three-judge panel that critiques the dances – will receive the judges’ trophy,” she said.
      Also, a popularity award will be given to the couple drawing the most votes from visitors to the Dancing with the Statesboro Stars page on Safe Haven of Statesboro’s website.
      Patrons to the site can submit a vote for their favorite pair by choosing to donate $1. Online voting, which is currently underway, will continue through Oct. 6 at 8:30 p.m.
      The dollar donations, and proceeds from ticket sales, will be used to benefit Statesboro’s Safe Haven Domestic Violence Shelter.
      “We’re open every day of the year. Anyone who is experiencing violence in the home from someone they are close to can come in and we’ll help them get back on their feet,” Bradford said. “This year, the state cut our budget by $85,000, so we have had fundraisers to recoup that money in order to sustain [the organization].”
      The shelter has served Bulloch County since 1995.
      Stars of the show range from local business owners and television personalities to a current coach and former mayor.
      The 11 celebrity dancers are: Chris Mitchell, Phyllis Thompson, Brandon Blair, Charlton Young, Bobby Coble, Bill Hatcher, Tim Chapman, Debbie Gleason, Noel Brown, Jim Healy and Deborah Thompson.
      The stars are currently working with their professional partners in preparation for the on-stage performances.
      “God help the people that are going to watch me on stage,” joked Chapman, executive director of the Averitt Center for the Arts. “I’m sore all over from practicing, already.”
      Chapman said he could not refuse the invite to participate in the inaugural contest.
      “I felt the event was a good cause,” he said. “Safe Haven is an excellent organization for our community.”
      “I think a lot of people don’t know a whole lot about Safe Haven in the area,” said Melanie Lewis, a dance instructor for In-Shape Fitness, who will perform a Latin Cha-Cha with Pladd Dot Music owner Chris Mitchell. “I think this is a great way to bring this popular contest to our city, to make money for the charity and have fun while doing it.”
      “Hopefully the community will get behind the event and support it,” she said. “We want to raise a lot of money for Safe Haven, but most of all, raise awareness. This is something that is very needed in our community.”
      Tickets to the event are being pre-sold for $10 by calling Safe Haven of Statesboro at (912) 764-4605.
      If any tickets are still available, they will be sold at the Averitt Center entrance the day of the competition.
      Persons interested in voting for their favorite dancing pair can do so at www.safehavenstatesboro.org.

      Jeff Harrison can be reached at (912) 489-9454.