PC Youth Development Commission says 'Thank you, Putnam County'

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Putnam County Youth Development Commission we wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Putnam County community for the ongoing support of our 8th annual event "Dancing with the Putnam County Stars." Words cannot begin to express how humbled we are to live in such an exceptional community that embraces our mission of serving the children and youth of Putnam County. This event continues to bring together everyone to have fun, highlight the areas outstanding talent, while raising money for our most precious assets, the youth of Putnam County!

We moved to a new location this year, the Putnam County Fairgrounds. We are grateful to the PC Fair Board for their generosity and willingness to support our philanthropic event and idea of using two separate facilities for the evening. In addition to a night filled with the most exciting heart-pounding competition everyone has come to expect, we raised $61,000.00, and once expenses from staging are finalized, proceeds should total $40,000.00. Thank you Putnam County, this is absolutely amazing!!!

To our special volunteers whose work and selflessness means so much: Sherry Cash, Narda Cotton, Melissa Van Wormer, Josh, Addison & Levi Gibson, Bob & Linda Merkel, Bill Merkel, Tom Sutherlin, Cory Robinson, Anna Harmless, Chris Torrance, Joe, Jamie, Brooke & Noah Mourey, Dan, Paula, Sarah, Grace & Katie Fry. Thanks to our judges, Mike Goss, Eddie Felling, and newcomer former Mayor Sue Murray; co-host- Jeff Rich, DJ- Mike Welch, and Videographer Kyle Hollinger. We appreciate the partnership with Amber Bowers Photography and the amazing pictures she captures, and to Clay Carter and DePauw Media Services for their contributions of equipment and staff personnel. Jenny Sullivan of Eitel's & Company Florist, and the beautiful flowers and designs she created were beyond anyone's imagination, they were spectacular. Also to Eileen Johnson for the program design, and, Wilsons Formal Wear. We must not forget to thank Judges Matt Headley and Denny Bridges for their time in driving the Club Golf Carts (donated by Detro Trailers), your service to our agency continues to be appreciated.

Our dancing instructors continue to amaze everyone how in just a few short weeks they transform our stars into accomplished and competitive dancers. We begin with thanking Tara Gardner for her ongoing dedication and commitment to ensure the opening group number and individual routines will be entertaining and competitive. Our other awesome instructors include: Lita and Brad Sandy, Logan Kuhne, Ashley Clute, Jessyca South, Sarah Bond, Josh Bain, David Roberts, Kristi Glotzbach and Katie Wallace. To our 2016 Putnam County "Stars," your sacrifice and competitive nature in making this event a night to remember will never be forgotten, the performances were absolutely entertaining and inspirational: Liz Cheatham, Niki St. Pierre, Linda Hunter, Bucky Kramer, Phyllis Legan, Troy Greenlee, Allison Creekmore, Tony Detro, Jake Martin Don Owen and Brooke Trissel. A special thank you to Mike Balka for his willingness to step in and dance with Jessyca South. We must not forget to thank our returning alumni for their strong performance in the opening group number.

The silent auction was another great success thanks to Penny Long and certainly all the wonderful donations: Kim Duell, South Putnam Schools, Eli Bookstore, Brad Tucker-State Farm Insurance, All American Karate & Fitness, Shannon Lutes, Kelly Mahon, Mike Goss-Attorney at Law, Young Living Essential Oils, Cinder Hayden, Kroger, Dairy Castle, Super Car Wash, Putnam Inn, Taylor Graphics, Casa Grande, DePauw University, Detro Trailers, Rita Goss, Ron & Mary Birt Farms, Creative Cakes, Juleena Cox, Zumba Movers -- Martha Sanders, Brooke Trissel, Mill Pond Health Campus, Myers Market, Children's Museum, K-9 Kastle, Via Quest, Kings Island, Ivy Nails, Wildtree, Bobby Hopper Farmers Insurance, Holiday World, Old Hickory Golf Course, Windy Hill Golf Course, Twin Bridges Golf Course, Purdue University Football, Hampton Inn -- Lafayette, McDonald's, Avon Luck, Teacher's Credit Union, Indonesian Interiors -- Roachdale, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Legan Farms, Mary, Auto Zone, Pacers Basketball, Deer Creek Golf Course, Tomahawk Hills Golf Course, North Putnam Schools, Butler University, Colts Football, Cloverdale Schools, Anthony's Pizza, Indianapolis Indians Baseball, Mason Jewelers, Purdue University, Homewood Suites-Lafayette, Starbucks-Greencastle, Indiana University, Wal-Mart Superstore, Subway-Greencastle, French Lick Big Splash, Younique Culture -- Plainfield, Niki St. Pierre, Paul and Brooke Trissel, Mrs. Trunk, Felicia Registar, Premier Hospice, and Fawn Teeters.

A BIG thank you to all our sponsors:

Premier: All American Karate & Fitness, Brian Hayden, Racers Auto, LLC, Buescher Farms, Dance Workshop, Detro Trailers, LLC, Eitel's & Company Florist, Fleece Insurance, Inc. Hoosier Heartland State Bank, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Legan Livestock & Grain, Inc. Megan & Jed Hunter, Mill Pond Health Campus, Putnam County Fairgrounds, & Straight Paths Driving School, LLC.

Gold: American Hauler, Amber Bowers Photography, DePauw University Media Staff, Drs. Brian & Thomas Black & Acute Medical Care, Hopkins Rector Funeral Home, Look Trailers, and Myer's Market.

Silver: Allied Wholesale Electric, Almost Home, Artsy Canvas, Anthony's New York Style Pizza, Bobby Hopper Agency, Inc. Co-Alliance, Custis Lawn Service, Felling & Felling Attorneys at Law, Greencastle Hometown Dental, Greencastle Custom Embroidery, Holiday Inn Express, Ideal Homes, Identity Hair Design, Knapp Farms, North Salem State Bank, Poet Biorefining -- Cloverdale, Poynter Farms, Putnam Seed Service, LLC, Smokehouse BBW, S&W Feed Service, Sure Trac, and United Trailers.

Bronze: A Cut Above Construction, AA Huber & Sons, Inc. Aluminum Trailer Company, Baker's Septic Service, Cash Concrete, David Huhnke, Endless Possibilities, Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry, Hayes, Murphy, Sharp & Brackney Insurance, Keeners Mower Sales & Service, Lizton Family Medicine, Mikey's Tobacco Shop, Inc. Mohr Chiropractic Center, Monical's Pizza, Putnam County Comprehensive Services, Thomas Pizza King, Rock Star Window Tinting, Shuee's Great Buys Plus, Swine Health Services, LLC, Thomas Garage Doors, Taylor Made Awards, Wabash Capital and White Cleaners, June Sandy Owner.

We continue to appreciate the many families that support our open dress rehearsal; six thirty gallon containers of non perishable food items were shared with the North Putnam Key Club for their first annual event "A Night Without a Home." The food items collected were shared across Putnam County with food pantries, churches and the Beyond Homeless Shelter.

The evening was a huge success and because of your generous contributions, the following programs and events will continue to be offered at no cost to Putnam County families: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program, Putnam County Teen Court, Choices, Coats for Kids and National Night Out. Annually the PCYDC touches the lives of over 3,500 children. Thank you again, we are blessed.

We hope to see you next year as we present and celebrate our ninth annual event.

Josh Richardson, President
Linda Merkel, Executive Director
PC Youth Development Commission.