By Carol Anders Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — The second annual “Dancing with the Stars” extravaganza held at Swan Lake Resort Saturday night attracted a huge and generous crowd.

The fundraiser — designed to help programs at the Marshall County Neighborhood Center and the Five Star Program at Lincoln Junior High — is totally organized by volunteers. Leading the vision is Plymouth resident and Marshall County Neighborhood Center Board President Karen Barden.
The performances for the evening featured community members who were paired with professional dancers. Last year, two winning couples were announced at the end of the event in the categories of judges’ choice and individual votes.  However, this year, the one and only honor went to the pair getting the most votes at $20 per vote. Couples could solicit votes prior to the event online and then were given a second chance following their performances.
The winning couple was Tara Sharp and Devan Garcia. Sharp is a sixth-grade teacher at Riverside Intermediate and Garcia is a dance instructor at Dan O’ Day Dance Club in Mish-awaka.
Other couples included Jim Causey/Chris Collier, Mark Senter/Leanne Senter, Brad Serf/Mewsette Cartwright, Kerry O’Brien/Lynne O’Brien, Darrell Rains/Mewsette Cartwright, Shelly Plumlee/Patrick Pendexter, Sharon Coffey/Mike Downs and Dave VanVactor/Mewsette Cartwright. Dancers and Riverside Intermediate students Kaylie Barden and Travis Owen raised $750 in votes prior to the event.
Members of the LifePlex Dance Academy also performed for the crowd.
Additional funds came through individual tickets sales and table sponsorships.
Fellow board member Chad Barden shared his appreciation for those working on the project saying, “My wife in her tremendous style put all of this together with lots of volunteers.”
Last year, the event raised around $45,000.
Karen Barden said, “We are starting the actual event this year with $35,000.”
Master of Ceremonies was Dan Tyree, superintendent of Plymouth Schools. Just prior to the close of the event, Tyree announced that the total had risen to $50,000 thanks to additional voting and proceeds from live and silent auctions. A final figure will be made available soon, once all of the totals have been calculated.
Tyree and dancing partner, Shannon Samuelson, received the most popular votes in 2009. Tyree said, “It is definitely easier to be the emcee than to dance.”
Tina Fitch, volunteer auctioneer and former Neighborhood Center Board member,  held the auction of items that were donated from the community.
Chad Barden introduced brothers Seth and Justin Maust who head up the Five Star Program. The Five Star Program pairs junior high-aged students with mentors on a weekly basis to teach values and provide encouragement. Seth Maust said, “Your community is going to be transformed. You have huge potential — you just have to take the steps.”
The cost for implementing the weekly programming is $25,000 per year. Last year, the fundraiser netted $15,000 towards the fees and received another $10,000 from an anonymous donor. On Saturday night, the organizers announced that U.S. Granules has stepped forward to provide some of the additional funding needed for the next school year. After the program, the Mausts said, “We are delighted with the turnout this evening and even prouder of where the program as come in a year.”
Proceeds from the 2009 fundraiser, along with a grant from the Marshall County Community Foundation, allowed the Neighborhood Center building to be completely renovated to serve clients in a more efficient manner.
Chad Barden said, “The Neighborhood Center is alive and thriving thanks to your generosity.”
Barden said the Center is currently helping 1,200 clients per month with food, clothing and utilities assistance. A plea to the audience for sponsorship of one family with a monthly donation of $32 per month was met with great enthusiasm.
Neighborhood Center Director Sarah Hendrix shared her passion for the work of the organization: “It has been a journey for me over the last six months. I know what it is like to be a client. I want to thank you for not giving up on people like me.”
Chad Barden added, “Given the state of the local and national economy, we were overwhelmed at the generosity of our community. We thank everyone we participated.”