Eight organizations shared almost half a million dollars from the latest round of local charitable dancing competition Swingshift and the Stars. The local “Dance-off for Charity” expanded beyond foxtrots and mambos to include a lip sync battle this year. Each organization presented one evening of dance and one of lip-syncing to a popular song.
 
The efforts were led by Traverse City Christian School, which partnered with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors and earned $118,550 in donations through the efforts of Adam Miller and students. The group won the Audience Choice Award twice and the Alumni Award once.
 
Other non-profits which participated this year included:
 
·      22 2 None, championed and represented by Marilyn Taylor–Exit Realty, garnered the Audience Choice Award in November, won the Social Media Scavenger Hunt Challenge and totaled $66,477 in donations.
·      Christ’s Hope International, championed by Loft TC and represented by Saburi Boyer, won the Alumni Award twice and the Audience Choice Award once to the tune of $57,811.
·     The Children’s House had its parent partnership group champion it and gym teacher Steve Maas as representative, earning $29,551.
·      The City Opera House was sponsored by Tom’s Food Markets with Maurie Allen and Jane Deering-Zimmerman as performers, earning $51,730.
·     Michael’s Place was sponsored by Clark Manufacturing with performers Ellyn Tarrant and Angela Di Lorenzo, garnering $61,712.
·      Zonta Club of Traverse City was championed by REMAX-Bayshore with Deb Jackson and Debbie Dacey as representatives, with total donations of $27,752.
·      Arts For All (pictured) was supported by Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings, with performers Derek Woodruff and Grace Hudson, earning $39,468 in donations.
 
All told, Swingshift and the Stars has raised over $3.5 million for Michigan non-profits over its 11 years of performances.