LUMBERTON — Ten couples are set to swing, sway, step and strut during the United Way of Robeson County’s Dancing with the Robeson County Stars.

The fifth annual fundraising event is scheduled for March 23 and March 24 at the Southeastern North Carolina Agricultural Events Center, located at 1027 U.S. 74 East.

Competing this year are Rhonda Williamson and Jon Davis, Michelle Hunt and Charles Townsend, Michelle Smith and Brian Britt, Catherine Gaines and Joe Terranova, Jill Britt and Owen Thomas, David McClish and Kristy Locklear, Terri Massol and Tim Little, Marla Bullock and Dennis Powers, Tanya Underwood and Hector Miray, and Angelica Chavis-McIntyre and Jason Cox.

Couples will be spotlighted throughout the upcoming weeks to introduce the dancers to the public.

The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Robeson County Family Treatment Court, a court-monitored substance use program that works with parents who are at risk of losing custody of their children. The purpose of the problem-solving court is to help break the cycle of drug and/or alcohol addiction that can influence the abuse and neglect of children by their parents. This is done through intensive judicial intervention, intensive addiction treatment, and support services. Without the proceeds from Dancing with the Robeson County Stars, the Family Treatment Court will not have enough funding to operate after June.

Tickets are available and voting is open. Tickets for the March 23 show are $30. Monday through Friday the United Way is offering a Buy One Get One half-off Valentine’s Day special for tickets to the March 23 show. To get this special pricing, bring cash or check to the United Way office at 2512-A Fayetteville Road in Lumberton. The March 23 show will allow live voting throughout the event, including voting for best costume and best dancers.

For the March 24 show, eight-seat tables are available for $1,000. This showing includes a gourmet catered meal with beverages before the show, live voting throughout the event and the announcement of the winning couples. The couple that raises the most money through votes will take home the coveted Mirror-Ball. Voting is open now and votes are $10.

March 23 tickets are available at www.UnitedWayRobeson.org and tables for the March 24 show can be purchased over the phone at 910-739-4249 or in person at the United Way office.

(Team One) Rhonda Lowe Williamson is a multi-media platform account executive for the N.C. counties of WBTW. She is a native of Robeson County and attended Lumberton High School and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She is devoted to her two sons, Caleb and Brett, and enjoys being a Sassy to her grandson, River. She serves in various capacities in the Robeson County community including being a member of the Lumberton Chapter of Rotary and sitting on the Robeson-Lumberton Kiwanis board. In her spare time, Williamson enjoys aromatherapy, gardening, traveling and spending time with her family. When asked why she chose to participate in Dancing with the Robeson County Stars, Rhonda shared that it was a fun way to raise funds that stay in the county that she calls home.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_Rhonda-Williamson2018222102749236-1.jpg(Team One) Rhonda Lowe Williamson is a multi-media platform account executive for the N.C. counties of WBTW. She is a native of Robeson County and attended Lumberton High School and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She is devoted to her two sons, Caleb and Brett, and enjoys being a Sassy to her grandson, River. She serves in various capacities in the Robeson County community including being a member of the Lumberton Chapter of Rotary and sitting on the Robeson-Lumberton Kiwanis board. In her spare time, Williamson enjoys aromatherapy, gardening, traveling and spending time with her family. When asked why she chose to participate in Dancing with the Robeson County Stars, Rhonda shared that it was a fun way to raise funds that stay in the county that she calls home.

(Team One) Jon Davis is a native of Arkansas and proud Lumberton transplant. He is an active duty solider with the 82nd Airborne Division and was thrilled to earn his “wings” and become a paratrooper in August of 2017. Since returning to North Carolina, Davis has gotten involved in many of the area’s wonderful organizations from performing with Purple Door Productions at the Robeson County Arts Council sponsored event, hosting Our State Magazine, to walking dogs at the Humane Society and ushering shows the Carolina Civic Center. He and his wife, Brie are also proud to have fostered and adopted out almost a dozen cats and dogs in the last two years. He is looking forward to continuing to be an active member of the community and finding more ways to give back to the place that welcomed him with open arms.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_Jon-Davis201822210285342-1.jpg(Team One) Jon Davis is a native of Arkansas and proud Lumberton transplant. He is an active duty solider with the 82nd Airborne Division and was thrilled to earn his “wings” and become a paratrooper in August of 2017. Since returning to North Carolina, Davis has gotten involved in many of the area’s wonderful organizations from performing with Purple Door Productions at the Robeson County Arts Council sponsored event, hosting Our State Magazine, to walking dogs at the Humane Society and ushering shows the Carolina Civic Center. He and his wife, Brie are also proud to have fostered and adopted out almost a dozen cats and dogs in the last two years. He is looking forward to continuing to be an active member of the community and finding more ways to give back to the place that welcomed him with open arms.

(Team Six) Terri Massol was born in Baltimore, Md., and raised in Fairmont. After her mother passed away when she was 9 years old, her grandfather, William Oxendine took on the responsibility of raising her. Her family stepped up to assist, but her grandfather is one of the most important and influential people in her life. Massol is devoted to her husband, Pedro “Tito” Massol and their two children, Antonio and Helena. Both children serve in the armed forces, one in the National Guard and the other in the Navy, and they are very proud of their service. Massol currently works as the practice manager for Dr. Steve Royal with UNC Cardiology at Lumberton. Dancing is one of Massol’s favorite pastimes, and she is excited to help United Way raise money for such an important community program.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_Terri-Massol2018222102822126-1.jpg(Team Six) Terri Massol was born in Baltimore, Md., and raised in Fairmont. After her mother passed away when she was 9 years old, her grandfather, William Oxendine took on the responsibility of raising her. Her family stepped up to assist, but her grandfather is one of the most important and influential people in her life. Massol is devoted to her husband, Pedro “Tito” Massol and their two children, Antonio and Helena. Both children serve in the armed forces, one in the National Guard and the other in the Navy, and they are very proud of their service. Massol currently works as the practice manager for Dr. Steve Royal with UNC Cardiology at Lumberton. Dancing is one of Massol’s favorite pastimes, and she is excited to help United Way raise money for such an important community program.

(Team Six) Tim Little is a native of Lenoir, N.C. He has his masters in Church Music with a concentration in voice from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and he currently works as the Funds Development Director for Robeson County Partnership for Children. In his spare time, he likes to hike and camp, especially in western North Carolina. He is lovingly dedicated to his wife Robin of 32 years; his son Teague who teaches science and coaches wrestling at Lumberton Senior High School, and his wife Lauren and their three children, Ayden, T.J. and Annagail; his daughter, Cennovia who is pursuing a nursing degree; and his great aunt Edda who lives with them and at age 97, still “keeps them in line.” In regards to the event, Little said that dancing in public, or in any venue takes him way outside of his comfort zone and that he does not have much experience, but that through this experience he’s hoping to change that.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_Tim-Little-1-2018222102837119-1.jpg(Team Six) Tim Little is a native of Lenoir, N.C. He has his masters in Church Music with a concentration in voice from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and he currently works as the Funds Development Director for Robeson County Partnership for Children. In his spare time, he likes to hike and camp, especially in western North Carolina. He is lovingly dedicated to his wife Robin of 32 years; his son Teague who teaches science and coaches wrestling at Lumberton Senior High School, and his wife Lauren and their three children, Ayden, T.J. and Annagail; his daughter, Cennovia who is pursuing a nursing degree; and his great aunt Edda who lives with them and at age 97, still “keeps them in line.” In regards to the event, Little said that dancing in public, or in any venue takes him way outside of his comfort zone and that he does not have much experience, but that through this experience he’s hoping to change that.

Staff report