LUMBERTON — The Robeson County Family Treatment Court, which was in danger of shutting down, will remain alive and kicking thanks to 20 local folks who did some dancing and those who supported their willingness to step out of their comfort zone by donating money.
Owen Thomas and Jill Britt took home the Mirror Ball Trophy during Dancing with the Robeson County Stars by raising $12,441 through public voting, the most of any team. But Chief District Court Judge J. Stanley Carmical walked away from the event, which was held at Southeastern North Carolina Agricultural Events Center, knowing that the Family Treatment Court will live to see another year.
Carmical presides over the court, which was the beneficiary of funds raised at the event, the fifth time it has been held, but the first since 2015. The court provides resources to keep families together when they are in the court system. It also works to reunite families that have been separated because of issues such as drug use.
United Way Executive Director Latricia Freeman said that while an exact total is still being calculated and money is still coming in, she knows the event brought in well over $55,000. It is credited with raising more than $500,000 during the first four events, with proceeds going to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which pays to provide books to children.
Ten couples from all corners of the county performed during a dress rehearsal on Friday and the main event on Saturday, when all the tables, some selling for thousands of dollars, were packed. Those in attendance were encouraged to vote throughout the night.
Stephen McIntyre and Morgan Hunt Jones served as masters of ceremonies, and two separate panels of three judges critiqued the performances, with Jessica Lowry Clark, executive director of the Robeson County Partnership for Children, Donnie Douglas, editor of The Robesonian, and Tiffany Peguise-Powers working to entertain the crown on Saturday.
Marla Bullock and Dennis Powers won the “Best Dancers” award, while Jason Cox and Angelica Chavis-McIntyre took home “Best Costume” honors.
For all those involved, trophies were of little when compared with the need being addressed.
“This county needs this program, and we need positive things happening in Robeson County,” said Thomas, a Lumberton councilman. “I’m not from here originally but I call this place home, and I want to do everything I can to help make it a positive place.”
He and partner Britt, a public school teacher, performed to a medley from the 1980s movie “Dirty Dancing.”
“It feels fabulous,” Britt said of winning the trophy. “The fact that it’s going to such a worthy cause is great.”
Shortly after the routine, Britt was surprised when her husband, Danny, a state senator, snuck up from behind to give her a bouquet of flowers.
Britt said the hard part was overcoming stage fright to perform.
“I am not a natural dancer by any shape or form,” Britt said. “I was so happy that we made it through and did the best we could.”
Chavis-McIntyre said she’s seen the benefits of the Family Treatment Court through her work.
“I work as a prosecutor here in the county, and I see firsthand the effects drugs have on our communities, so it’s very important that this program stays in place to help so many families and so many people who are struggling,” she said.
Carmical spoke passionately before the competition started about the the court, saying: “Imagine a knock on the door in the middle of the night. Now imagine that person is with the government and they are there to take your child. That is a reality that happens often in Robeson County.”
He outlined the services offered by the Family Treatment Court and detailed the process families go through when they enroll in the program.
“This month, we celebrated our 10th anniversary of Robeson County Treatment Court,” Carmical said.
Carmical has served as as the court’s judge since its creation in 2008.
“That’s why we did it,” Cox said. “We’re not professional dancers, but to get up there and give back and raise money for a good cause, at the end of the day, that’s why we’re here.”
Freeman said helping the Family Treatment Court was the right thing to do.
“That’s what we do, we address the most pressing need in our county. Substance abuse is a pressing issue in our county,” Freeman said.
Sandra Oliver, who is retiring from United Way after serving as its executive director for 26 years and more recently in a part-time role, was honored with the Hector MacLean award during the fundraiser. After a video dedicated to Oliver’s tenure with United Way was shown, she was presented with a gift by Freeman.
Oliver fought back tears as she expressed her appreciation to the United Way staff, Freeman, and all those who make the event possible, including the dancers and those who donate.
The organization had been around for about four years when she joined, Oliver said.
“It was just myself and one other person,” Oliver said. “It was fairly new. It was new to our county.
“I’ve seen a county come together.”
Colleen Brown was named Volunteer of the Year.
The fundraiser’s success was the result of a team effort, Freeman said. Several United Way staff members and 43 student volunteers from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke helped run all aspects of the event, from setting up the stage to serving food. Choreographers donated their time to help the dancers prepare, some of whom have been working on their routines for more than a year.
Freeman read off a long list of sponsors of those who donated to make it happen.
The event was supposed to be held in 2017 but was postponed to this year because of Hurricane Matthew.
