Raising funds by hitting the floor

The 16th annual Dancing with the Norwood Stars went off without a hitch on Friday as hundreds came together to raise money for the Norwood Circle of Hope (COH).

The COH has been raising money for those experiencing crisis in Norwood for more than two decades. According to emcee and COH Board President David Tuttle, the organization has raised and distributed more than $1.5 million to Norwood families over the years, covering costs for medical or financial emergencies to residents anonymously.

“Our Board members are all volunteers – nobody is paid – and they represent many different sectors of the Norwood community, coming from areas like emergency services, education, business and social services,” Tuttle said. “Since we began, the organization has provided over $1.5 million in support to Norwood residents. But our success has only been possible because of all of you here tonight, everybody at home watching, and the entire Norwood community who have embraced us and our mission for the last 28 years.”

The night was the brainchild of the late Katherine St. Cyr, and has ballooned into a mainstay of Norwood culture. Every year, organizers – often Carolyn Riccardi – scour the Town for would-be dancers who, once they’ve accepted the invite, are taught how to strut their stuff on the dance floor by the Fred Astaire School of Dance over an eight-week period.

It all culminates with what happened on Friday. The noise of conversation and celebration was palpable throughout the night, save when the organization had to acknowledge and remember two pillars of its foundation who had passed on this year.

“(Rosemary) ‘Roe’ Riley was a founding member of the foundation, and served as a member of our assistance committee…” the audience interrupted Tuttle here with applause. “Yes, give it up for Roe! She was a founding member of our assistance committee right up until the end. She worked directly with clients to review requests for assistance. Roe also worked in the Norwood schools as a nurse, retiring as head nurse some time ago. Roe was a supreme example of compassion and commitment to others and left a lasting impact on our community that she loved so dearly.”

Tuttle also remembered former Board President Tim McDonough, who recently passed away. McDonough was the Board president for the first 27 years of the COH, and historically emceed Dancing with the Norwood Stars with former Norwood High School (NHS) Principal George Usevich. The two went back and forth in comedy routines that, according to Usevich, came from the fact that they knew and respected each other so much.

“Please, give it up for Tim,” Tuttle said. “His guidance, smile, wit and wisdom helped to shape us into the organization we are today. Tim’s generosity went way beyond the COH, and he lent a lot of his time to the Norwood Scholarship Committee, where he ensure that many NHS graduates were provided aide for their future education. Tim loved Norwood, and gave four decades of service to our Town, serving on the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen, and lastly as Town Assessor. Everyone Tim met became an instant friend, and he reinforced that friendship each time he saw you, with a warm smile and a familiar greeting, ‘How are you my friend?’ I’m proud to be able to call Tim and Roe close friends.”

Dancers Tim Rose, Tenia Kniolek, Michael O'Conner, Karen Broderick, Christopher Lipscomb and Maria Rondinelli-Lopez all showed their moves. Tim Rose was the Judge’s Choice Winner and Karen Broderick was the night’s Champion.

“It was great, sweaty but fun,” said Rose. “It was a blast. I thought we killed it tonight… I’ve been helping a little with COH for a long time now, with things like the Luminary Night, but I definitely wanted to take a bigger part in things, so when I got asked to join I was more than thrilled to hop in.”

“I’m not shy, and I love a theme,” said Broderick. “But more importantly what I found throughout this whole process is the community, and to be able to support my home town was a huge honor. I thought I’d be worrying about the dance too much, but my focus was really on the fundraising for the COH, so I hope I did well.”

Lipscomb said he’s been living in the Town for 10 years now, and said he feels right at home.

“Just the community and the welcome here means a lot to me, but the story behind the COH means a lot to me as well,” he said. “My older sister, who is right there, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 17, and without the community helping us and our family, well… it just speaks volumes. And she’s still here today so we absolutely love it.”

Kniolek said she saw a community there to help and support its members.

“And I just wanted to be a part of that,” she said. “I want to give back to the community, and Norwood is a great community with great outreach to everybody to help people.”

Advertisement

O'Conner said the experience of working with Nina DiPerrio was amazing.

“She’s been a miracle worker; I came in with three left feet and I think I came out with only two,” he said. “I grew up in Norwood and I knew about the COH. My sister Kathleen was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago, and we were raised to give back to the community, which is why I chose it.”

Rondinelli-Lopez said she was exhausted but it was worth it to raise funds for the community.

“It was amazing, thank you!” she said.

The Norwood COH stated on its social media that the night would not have been possible without help from Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Norwood Community Media - NCM, OneLocal Bank, Four Points by Sheraton and the Tiffany Ballroom Staff, Ed Hicky & Steve Dabreio for flowers, Tracy Young for spray tans, Donna Breen for hair and makeup, Paul & Martha Angelo for wine, and Norwood Printing for our printing needs.

For more information on the COH, go to https://norwoodcoh.org