Dancing with the Martin Stars takes stage in support of Healthy Start Coalition

The Martin Stars 2022: Front Row: Toni Ryll, Jessica Alvarez, Samantha Suffich, Tanya Chaves, Jane Hallick, Kasia D’Auria, Daisy Krakowiak; Back Row (left to right): Tyler Raynes, Donna Demarchi, Michael Chaves, Bob Murray, Jang Don.

The curtain goes up on the 2022 edition of Martin County’s Dancing with the  Martin Stars at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Lyric Theatre in Stuart. Tangos, tap dances, sambas, and waltzes will take center stage in support of the Martin County  Healthy Start Coalition and its mission to ensure that every baby in our community is born healthy and every mother receives support. The premise of Dancing with the Martin Stars is simple but challenging: local volunteers learn dance steps from area professionals, raise funds from friends and neighbors, and then vie for the judges’ votes to claim bragging rights. 

“Dancing with the Martin Stars is always a fun event,” says Healthy Start CEO Samantha Suffich. “The purpose, though, is very serious. The funds our volunteers raise help us with our  many programs that provide prenatal care to expectant mothers and then follow through to be  sure that babies are born healthy and receive the services the family needs for a successful  future.” 

This year’s contestants include: Kasia D’Auria, Realtor with Re/Max of Stuart, paired with  professional dancer Jang Don; Donna DeMarchi, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney with the Eberst  Law Firm, with Bob Murray; Jane Hallick, President of Jane’s Dane Boutique, with Craig Galvin;  Jessica Alvarez, Founder of Velo Med Spa, with Michael Chaves; Natalie Desmangles, Assistant  Branch Manager with SouthState Bank, with Brian Spector; Rio Ratermanis, Clinical Educator  with HCA Center for Clinical Advancement St. Lucie Hospital, with Marianella Tobar; Dr. Noor 

Yono, Premier Neurology, with Leah Landau; Tyler Rayes, SLC Commercial Real Estate, with  Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe; and Dr. Rabih Kashouty, Neurostrive, with Tanya Chaves. The dancers are actively raising funds in advance of the event. Community members can support a favorite dancer through the Healthy Start website, www.mchealthystart.com. Tickets to the event are available through the Lyric Theatre box office, www.lyrictheatre.com.  

A Sponsors Only cocktail party will be held before the dance competition begins. The Eberst  Law Firm is the evening’s title sponsor and encourages individuals and organizations to join them at sponsorship levels ranging from $500 to $10,000.  

For more information, visit www.mchealthystart.org or call 772-463-2888.  

About Martin County Healthy Start 

Martin County Healthy Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every baby is born healthy. It provides educational and health services to pregnant women, new mothers and their families at no cost, particularly expectant mothers who are at risk for late or no prenatal care.  

Part of a statewide coalition, Healthy Start connects pregnant women and young mothers with essential services including prenatal care, home visitations by a nurse or social worker,  breastfeeding support, parenting education, car seat and sleeping safety, a free diaper pantry,  and access to other community partner agencies through the Betty Moore Prenatal Outreach  Center. The David Cardno Father and Child Resource Center, also part of the Martin County  Healthy Start Coalition, helps fathers to become more involved in parenting and offers legal assistance to fathers who are separated from their children.  

The programs of Martin County Healthy Start Coalition are voluntary and available to all Florida residents at no cost.  

For more information about Martin County Healthy Start Coalition and its ongoing programs,  visit www.mchealthystart.org, call 772-463-2888 or follow the organization on Facebook.