Letter to the Editor

PCYCD thanks the community

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Dear Editor:

On behalf of the Putnam County Youth Development Commission we extend our sincere appreciation to the Putnam County community. Words cannot begin to express our thankfulness for the manner in which our third annual event "Dancing with the Putnam County Stars" was embraced. We are humbled by your generosity and kindness and the unwavering support of this philanthropic evening that brings together the entire Putnam County community to have fun, highlight the outstanding talent in our area, while raising money for our most precious possessions, the youth of Putnam County.

We are grateful to all of our sponsors for their contributions: Dance Workshop (Tara Gardner and Lita Sandy); Dr. Brian Casey and DePauw University including the facilities, Theater, Media and Catering Services; Almost Home and Eitlel's Flowers & Gifts; Amber Bowers Photography; Birt Pork; Butlers Fertilizer; Toney's Well Drilling; Bonnie Bryan; Co-Alliance; Cottage Garden Collections; Dixie Chopper; Endless PossibiliTees; Fig's Follies; First National Bank; Friends of Fillmore Elementary; Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry; Jedele Enterprises (Greencastle McDonald's); Jody Parmley; Mark Smith, DDS and Phantom Printing; Martin's Emporium; Mikey's Tobacco Shop, Inc.; Muir Family; Res-Care; Taylor Made Awards; The Inn at DePauw; and Wilson's Photography Studio.

Others that made contributions: Cathy Westman, Eileen Johnson, Jamie and Brooke Mourey, Paula and Dan Fry, Carla Plessinger, Sherlyn Mark, Nancy Zennie, Anna Harmless, Chris Torrence, Robin DiRocco, Nancy Lovett, Wanda Twigg, Bill Merkel and South Putnam students, Cierra Perry, Madi Marsteller, Ali Torr, Sarah Cheatam and Nicole Hurst. A special thank you to Stacey Baugh for making sure all routines (group and individual) were on stage and ready to perform.

Our judges and co-hosts continue to be a real highlight of the evening: Denny Bridges, Matt Headley, Diana LaViolette, Jana Brothers and Beau Battin. The instructors continue to amaze everyone, as to how in 11 short weeks they transform the "Putnam County Stars" into accomplished competitive dancers: Tara Gardner, Lita Sandy, Brad Sandy, Jessyca South, Katie Wallace, Colleen Muir, Logan Kuhne, David Terry, Ashley Clute, Kyle Booher, Aisa Terry and Dante Goodwin.

The 2011 Putnam County Stars were absolutely brilliant: Jeramy Sheldon, Mary Miller, Natalie Pritchard, Bobby Hopper, Charlene Shrewsbury, Ron Spencer, Cindy Hennette, Brad Hayes, Steve Michael, Mary Anne Birt and Jeff Rich. We must not forget to thank our returning "alumni stars" from 2009 and 2010 for their excellent performance in the opening group number: Deb Smith, Tom Sutherlin, Teena Bryant, David Wells, Sue Murray, Gail Smith, Jana Brothers and Beau Battin. And we are grateful to Quincy Hayes of Greencastle High School and Jesse Gardner of South Putnam High School who willingly volunteered to participate in the opening group number.

The silent auction was once again very successful thanks to all the donations: Indianapolis Colts, Ambler Hill, Almost Home, DePauw Theatre, Mama Nuns, DePauw Tennis Coach Scott Riggle, Inn at DePauw, Moore's Bar, Holiday World, Extreme Tanning, Putnam County Convention & Visitor Bureau, Subway, Kroger, Peebles, Jackson's Restaurant, Cross Cuts, The Children's Museum, Monical's, Dairy Castle, Buffalo Wild Wings, Mona Lisa Salon, Marvin's, Whites Dry Cleaning, Morgan Lucas Racing, Cincinnati Bengals Football, Duke, Ball State, Purdue and DePauw universities, Attorney Jeff Boggess, Artist D. Morgan, Cottage Garden Collections, Bright Futures, Treasurer's on the Square, Author Troy Cummings, Greencastle Parks & Recreation, CASA Grande, Los Martinez, Nico Briones, Final Approach & Dixie Chopper Airlines, Furniture Awarehouse, Peeler Pottery, Indianapolis Indians, Chiefs, Dance Workshop, Martin's Emporium, Snap Fitness, Family Video, Chicago's Pizza, Identity Hair Design (Ashley Clute), Tiger Den a Cut Above (T. White), Casino Aztar, Banner Graphic, Long John Silvers, Putnam Inn, Tony Schumacher & Jack Beckman Racing, Artist Sue Skeen, Cincinnati Reds Baseball, Pizza King, Brad Tucker State Farm Insurance, Pinhook Pottery, Artist Sue Brucks, Photographer Lisa Cooper, Lynne Tweedie, Artist Bern, Jedele Enterprises, Drag Racer Larry Dixon, and North Putnam and South Putnam Community Schools.

We remain thankful to the families that continue to support us by annually attending our open dress rehearsal. This year we collected five 30-gallon containers filled with non perishable goods that were distributed to the Greencastle Food Pantry, Bainbridge Christian Church and New Providence Baptist Church. We are grateful to the Greencastle Elks for providing Valet Parking. Their efforts raised $300 for the American Cancer Society.

Once again the evening proved to be a tremendous success. $20,000 will go a long way in support of our mission to serve the children and young people of Putnam County. Because of your ongoing heartfelt contributions, the following programs will continue to be offered at no cost to Putnam County families: CASA, (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Lets' Talk (Anger Management), Thinking for a Change, Under 21 Prime for Life (Alcohol & Drug Education), Putnam County Teen Court, and Choices Program (for all Putnam County 5th graders). Events sponsored by the PCYDC include Coats for Kids, Family Movie Night and National Night Out. Annually the PCYDC touches the lives of over 3,000 children. Thank you again, you are the greatest.

We hope to see you next year as we present our 4th annual event. Putnam County, we are thankful.

Matt Hertenstein, President

Linda Merkel, Executive Director

PC Youth Development Commission