New Canaanite Gina Zangrillo, president of Darien Sport Shop, gave a “dazzling” dance performance at ElderHouse’s “Dancing With the Stars” benefit held on Saturday, March 1, at the Inn at Longshore in Westport.
Dancing the Rumba and Cha Cha with her partner, Pierre Fitzenberger from Fred Astaire Studios, she competed against six other business leaders in a star-studded affair to raise funds to support programs at ElderHouse in Norwalk.
“Gina gave a spectacular performance to the amazement of a sold-out crowd,” said Denise Cesareo, executive director of ElderHouse.
ElderHouse is a nonprofit adult day center, serving seniors in New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. It has been a part of the Fairfield County senior community for more than 35 years, providing services that help older adults to remain living in their own homes and deliver peace of mind to their caregivers.
ElderHouse partnered with the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Norwalk for its first “Dancing With the Stars” fund-raising event, modeled after the popular television show. The dance competition brought the crowd to their feet, according to a release, as guests applauded their favorite dancer. Rising above the heads of the 280 guests, signs read, “Go Gina,” as a special section of supporters from the Darien Sport Shop cheered her on.
In addition to Zangrillo’s efforts twirling on the dance floor, she worked tirelessly to raise funds for ElderHouse through pre-event online pledges. With support from family and friends in the New Canaan and Darien community, she was the very first dance competitor to raise more than $15,000 in pledges.
“ElderHouse is an organization worth my time and effort and I wanted to give it my all,” Zangrillo said.
In appreciation for her spirit of competition, she accepted special recognition at the event — an Above and Beyond Award — to a standing ovation.
“We are so grateful to Gina for her spirit of competition that energized the entire group and her big heart that led to the most successful fund-raising event in the history of ElderHouse,” said Cesareo.
Also competing for prizes such as best performances, best friend to ElderHouse and people’s choice awards, were these local business leaders: Cindi Bigelow, president of Bigelow Tea of Norwalk; Chef Pietro Scotti, owner of Da Pietro Restaurant, Westport; Gus Pappajohn, owner of A. Pappajohn Company, Norwalk; Kathryn Sirico, owner of Gregg and Tony’s Salon in Westport; Ruthann Walsh, director of corporate citizenship at Pepperidge Farm, Norwalk, and Peter Tauck, co-owner, Tauck Inc., of Norwalk.
The competition was judged by Melody Libonati of the Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan; Christine Titus of the Conservatory of Dance, Wilton, and Walter Schalk , founder of the Walter Schalk School of Dance. The event was sponsored by the Hour Publishing Company, Fairfield County Bank and Benefit Planning Services
Event chairman Nancy Romberg, vice president of Fairfield County Bank, describes the event as “a huge success, enjoyed by all who attended and surpassing our fund-raising goals.”
“A spectacular turnout demonstrated strong community support for the wonderful services ElderHouse provides to seniors and their caregivers in New Canaan and the surrounding communities,” Romberg said.
Gina Zangrillo of New Canaan and dance partner Pierre Fitzenberger from Fred Astaire Studios, competed in a recent ‘Dancing With the Stars’ benefit for ElderHouse, an adult day center serving seniors in New Canaan and surrounding communities.