Mewsette Cartwright and Tom Wiers do a little number. Pilot photos/Carol Anders

By Carol Anders Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — A fund-raiser for the Marshall County Neighborhood Center held on Valentine’s Day showed what a caring and giving community we live in.
Proceeds from the “Dancing With the Stars” event reached the $45,000 mark, according to one of the organizers of the event, Karen Barden. The total reflects ticket sales, voting contributions, and an auction of donated items.
Dancing for the evening were volunteers from all over Marshall County who paired a more experienced dancer with an inexperienced partner. The dancers prepared two numbers that were judged by a panel of judges including Susan Styers, Dan O’Day and Daniel Cribbs.

In the end, Mewsette Cartwright and Tom Wiers were named the overall winners after receiving the highest number of points by the judging panel.

Dan Tyree and Shannon Samuelson received the “Most Popular” vote.

A second couple, Dan Tyree and Shannon Samuelson, were honored with the title “Winners of the “Popular Vote”. Prior to the event, votes were taken on a website designed especially for the fundraiser and more voting was allowed at the event itself.
Both Tyree and Samuelson said, “The true winner is the Neighborhood Center.”
Dancers for the event in addition to those listed above included: Jeannie Zehner, Tom Black, Kevin Guy, Tammy Pesek, Leanne Senter, Dr. Tim Peters, Chris Collier, Jerry Berg, Devan Garcia, Mary Gifford, Gene Hundt and Sheryl Beckham.
An auction featuring Neighborhood Center Board Member and professional auctioneer Tina Fitch raised approximately $5000. Donated auction  items included a Norte Dame Sports Package, a weekend in Chicago, a spa package, an instant wine cellar, a prime rib dinner for 20 people, driving classes, and gourmet dinner for eight, and homemade quilts.
a number of businesses and media were thanked for their contributions including Swan Lake, Grand Rental, Fernbaugh’s Jewelry, Ginny Williams (florist), WTCA, Pilot News, Bowen Printing, Felke Florist, first Source Bank, and the Corndance Café.
Master of Ceremonies was Chad Barden. Barden outlined the three primary programs that they hope to start at the Center.
While the Neighborhood Center will continue to provide food, clothing and utilities assistance for those in need, the Bridge Program is designed to help bridge families out of situational and generational poverty using case management practices. Barden also talked about the need to bring the services to outlying communities for those who are not physically or economically able to go the Center that is located on Garro Street in Plymouth.
A third program, Five Star, will utilize mentors and coaching.
Barden said, “Most of us don’t know what it is like to be truly poor. We need to truly come along side of the clients at the Neighborhood Center… There’s no one else to fix it except us.”
Former Neighborhood Center client Bill Gaines told his story of the misfortunes that left him without employment, his family, a home, food and a car.
He said, “It is humbling to speak to you tonight.”
Gaines lost everything after returning with medical problems from Iraq and waiting for benefits from the Veteran’s Administration.
Gaines said, “You find yourself on top of everything and then you find yourself on the bottom.”
He said board members Rick and Tina Fitch reached out to him and helped him find the temporary help he desperately needed.
His final thought was moving. Gaines said, “Dig deep and help the Neighborhood Center. They truly saved my life.”
Helping to make the event a success was Anna Liechty who portrayed the “Huckleberry Queen.”
Professional photographer Ron Zimmerman took photos of those at the event, with all of the proceeds going to the Neighborhood Center.
Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter also shared his appreciation in his remarks for both the fundraising activities and the work of the volunteers of the Center.
Chad and Karen Barden indicated that this was the first annual event of its kind.
Chad Barden said, “I have been overwhelmingly im-pressed time and again with the generosity of the citizens of Marshall County.”