A Chance To Soar Luncheon Co-Chairs Jennifer Steubing and April Willingham just sent word that they’re dancing with joy! Or rather, they’re dancing with a star.
Yup, for the annual Jonathan’s Place fundraiser, the ladies have arranged to have former Dancing With The Stars dynamo Cheryl Burke as their keynote speaker on Tuesday, April 28, at Brook Hollow.
Why the lady who has collected two DWTS mirrored balls? Sure, she’s danced with such celebrity partners as Drew Lachey, Emmitt Smith, Ian Ziering, Wayne Newton, Cristian de la Fuente, Maurice Greene, Gilles Marini, Tom DeLay, Chad Ochocinco, Rick Fox, Chris Jericho, Rob Kardasian, William Levy, D.L. Hughley, Jack Osbourne, Drew Carey and Antonio Sabato Jr., but what does that have to do with the child abuse issues being handled by Jonathan’s Place? Because like Jonathan’s Place clients…that’s the wrong word… children, Cheryl was abused as a youngster.
While perfect on the dance floor, her book — “Dancing Lessons” — revealed “painful childhood abuse by a family friend and overcoming to become a dancing champion.”
According to Jonathan’s Place CEO Allicia Graham Frye, “We are so excited Cheryl has graciously agreed to come speak at our luncheon. Her smile is infectious, her speaking is engaging and her story is powerful.”
Presented for a second year in a row by Mohr Partners, Jonathan’s Place is “the only emergency shelter in Dallas County for abused children from newborn to 17 years old.” Last year, Jonathan’s Place “helped 11,105 children through its emergency shelter, girls residential treatment, foster care and adoption programs, and runaway prevention partnership with National Safe Place.”
* Photo provided by Jonathan's Place