Eight Marion County celebrities will be “Dancing in the Rain” in preparation for the 7th annual celebrity dance gala benefiting the Marion Women’s Club & Home, Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Women’s Club President and Gala Co-Chair Valerie Wigton said some of the dancers have already begun practicing their dance routines. “Plus, our Gala committee has been meeting since July to plan our seventh gala charity event,” she explained. “It’s our one and only fundraiser – and over the years, it’s become the hottest ticket in town.”
Board Member and Gala Dance Captain Doris Schwartz said identifying the eight local “celebrities” gets easier every year. “Now that we’re in our seventh year, people know about the gala, and they’re excited to participate,” she explained. “We have another fantastic group this year.”
Performing all kinds of dance styles, from the cha-cha and salsa, to tap, hip hop and jazz, at the 2026 Gala will be: (LADIES) Lily Lloyd, (Fable Bar & Co.); Amanda Styer (OhioHealth); Sarah Hogan (Hogan Photography); and Liz Feliciano (community advocate); (GUYS) Robb Koons (Meadows of Marion); Jay McDonald (Marion Police Department); Cass Sisler (Sisler Companies); and Jon Fetter (Fetter Construction).
The dance instructors being paired with the dancers and donating their professional instruction are: Melissa Bollinger, Don Ewell, Sarah Stalter, Kari McDorman, Eric Julian “EJ” Walker, Gabrielle Harter, Kenny Creviston, and Dustin Rawlins.
Instructors – and dancers – volunteer their time and expertise preparing for their routine, Schwartz noted. “Judges then present “Performance Awards” to the top lady and gentleman dancers, while the dancer who raises the most money for the Women’s Club & Home is declared the overall champion.”
Tiffanie Starcher, assistant manager at Carroll’s Jewelers and real estate agent, was the 2025 gala champion, while Elizabeth Moore and Chris Massey received the two performance awards.
“Of course, the real winner is the Women’s Club & Home,” Wigton pointed out. “The Marion community has embraced our mission – and this event – allowing us to make so much progress in preserving and protecting our Club Home and property. The recent transformation of the original carriage house into the Women’s History Resource Center, which will house our rich archives, is a prime example.”
Funds raised at the 2026 gala will be used to restore the back porch and steps leading to the historic home, which was built in 1903. “It’s in need of urgent repair,” Wigton said. “We’ve had a few falls, much of the wood is rotted, and the stairs are uneven. Estimates for the project range from $65,000 to $80,000.”
The 2025 gala raised a record amount of nearly $100,000, thanks to corporate sponsorships and individual donations, she said. “It takes an enormous amount of funding to not only maintain the property, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, but also to offer programs and services to our community. But our donors, friends, and supporters have stepped up to the plate every year… we’re hoping for another home run in 2026.”
In addition to the carriage house transformation, funds raised at previous galas have supported the restoration of the historic home’s iconic front porch, purchase of a new boiler replacing the home’s century-old one, updating the Abigail Harding Lewis Auditorium, the home’s interior painting and plasterwork, as well as Club projects and community programs.
“Our community has spoken,” Wigton pointed out, “and they share our vision to not only preserve the historic home, but to preserve history itself – specifically, women’s history – and the impact local women have had right here in Marion since our Club was formed back in 1895. With our community’s continued help, we will carry our mission forward for the next generation.”
A limited number of tickets ($125/each) for the “Dancing in the Rain” 2026 gala are on sale now and can be secured by contacting one of the dancers.
The mission of the Marion Women’s Club is: “Empowering women and enriching the community while preserving the Historic Home and promoting the Club’s legacy.” The Marion Women’s Club was started in 1895 and continues today with 90 member-volunteers dedicated to its mission.
For more information, and photos of previous galas and other events, visit MarionCountyFederationOfWomensClubs.com
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