Back by Popular Demand: ‘Dancing for the Foundation’ Competition Returns to New Rochelle on May 16

NEW ROCHELLE—Following its inaugural success last year, the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation is once again adapting the popular TV Show “Dancing with the Stars” to its own version of “Dancing for the Foundation,” on Thursday, May 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Surf Club in New Rochelle. The fundraising event supports the HGRF, which benefits charities and non-profits throughout New York City and the Hudson Valley.

Realtor and Affiliate members from around the New York metro area will be tapping their toes for prizes and the coveted “winner” status of the foundation’s second dancing competition event. The event will also feature a judge who appeared on 13 seasons of “Dancing with the Stars”—Christian Perry, of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich, who is an accomplished professional ballroom dancer. Other judges include Dwayne Gordon, retired NFL player and Fitness Manager at New York Sports Club in White Plains and Kate Bialo, Executive Director, Furniture Sharehouse in White Plains.

“We are thrilled to present this popular event once again this year,” said Ralph Gabay, HGRF President. “Last year’s event drew record crowds, and we hope to be able to surpass our fundraising goal for the foundation this year. Of course, it’s also going to be an exciting, interactive night with audience participation and a great opportunity for networking.”

Last year, the event raised more than $20,000 for the foundation, with JP Endres and Joe Maymi of Howard Hanna Rand Realty in Scarsdale and White Plains dancing away as the winners of the competition.

The 2024 event is also open to the public and includes an open bar, appetizers, a plated dinner, dessert and coffee, and a DJ. The best part is that the audience can also join in the judging to choose the People's Choice for the winning dance couple. Arthur Murry Dance Centers of White Plains and Eastchester is providing free dance lessons for the competitors.

The eight dancing couples participating are:

• Danielle Reese, Christie’s Int. Real Estate, White Plains and Anthony Ruperto, Ally Realty, Beacon
• Toni Marinucci, Houlihan Lawrence, New Rochelle & Catherine Prata, Houlihan Lawrence, Larchmont
• Tony Berardi, Howard Hanna Rand Realty, Brewster/Scarsdale & Trudi Iglesias, Howard Hanna Rand Realty, White Plains
• Cecilia Feng, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Rivertowns, Peekskill & Clayton Jeffrey, Keller Williams NY Realty, White Plains
• Xiao Ciao Chen, Century 21 Dawns Gold Realty, Yonkers and her husband, Augusto Estrada
• Ryan Smith, Play Nice Together, Elmsford & Rebeca Ford, Corcoran Legends Realty, Briarcliff Manor
• Christian Babcock, Loan Depot & Brett Lando, Gahagan, Lando & Wanger, LLP, both in White Plains
• Laura Browne, Laura C. Browne, Esquire, Bronx & David Moore, 1st Priority Mortgage, Elmsford

Tickets are $175 per person and all proceeds benefit the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HGAR.com.

Since 2014, the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities and non-profits throughout Hudson Valley. As concerned members of the communities we work in, the Hudson Gateway Realtor Foundation participates in qualified community-based charities who serve the housing, hunger, health, happiness, and humane needs of citizens everywhere.