by Jordan Smith

Phyllis Arends, NAMI Sioux Falls’ executive director, had an idea for a fundraiser for many years that is finally coming to life on November 7.  Arends and her husband took up ballroom dancing when their youngest son graduated high school, and she has since been looking for a way to incorporate the TV program Dancing With the Stars as a fundraiser, but was never sure how to pull it off. Enter Addie Graham-Kramer and her team at The Event Company. 

NAMI is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by mental illness. Everything offered is at no cost to those in need of support, so NAMI needs to raise money to grow the operation and the number of people they serve.

“We survive primarily on the donations from generous individuals and businesses within the Sioux Falls community.  It is important to our organization that the funds we raise stay in Sioux Falls and go directly into our programming in order to reach as many individuals in our community as possible,” explained NAMI president Mary Beth Fishback.

Arends says that statistically, there are at least 30,000 people in Sioux Falls living with a mental illness. She is both executive director and a family member of a NAMI beneficiary.I am there to talk to them and understand. We want people to know they are not alone in this. Mental illness is a medical illness.  There is no shame in it, we want to normalize mental illness.

Fishback points out that the family and friends impacted and supporting one of those 30,000 means the actual number extends well beyond just those diagnosed, “Our hope is that by raising awareness and much needed funds, we will be able to expand our programs and reach more people within the community.”

The real hope is that the event helps to bring mental illness into the limelight. We want people to realize that is it OK to seek treatment. Early identification makes brighter outcomes,Arends said.

The Event Company got involved in the initial conversations about Dancing with the Sioux Falls Stars in September 2014, and has worked with NAMI on all of the planning stages from the venue to selecting the dancers. Graham-Kramer’s passion for the event goes deeper than just her title as president of The Event Company. Having a family member that has a mental illness, she has participated in NAMI events over the years.

“The stigma surrounding mental illness still is so shocking to me, and many of those that are diagnosed and manage it through various treatments lead very successful lives,” she said. “I see this first hand with my sister. She is a not only an amazing mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, but she is also a successful businesswoman in our community. This event will not only help to raise funds to further the mission of NAMI Sioux Falls, but it also helps to create awareness about diminishing the stereotypes, speaking out about mental illness and teaching others that it is like any other illnesses,” she said.

According to Graham-Kramer, Arends’ passion for ballroom dancing meant she knew which studios to contact, “We collectively reached out to them to get their buy-in since they are donating every hour of studio time and practice sessions to the cause. Then our team personally reached out to those that we felt had great social clout and were well-known throughout the community. These are the ones that we wanted to be on the celebrity dance team and we have a variety of ages, industries and backgrounds.”

2015-10-12 11.31.54

The night will begins with live music by Goodroad, followed by a group dance. Then, each of the couples will have their own time to perform their dance. Judges will rate each couple from one to 10. The couple with the highest overall score will be deemed the winners. Later in the evening, the audience will have an opportunity to dance with the stars.

“It is going to be a fun, unique event with great food, signature drinks, live music, and the highlight, seeing our very own Sioux Falls stars participating in a live dance competition,” said Fishback.We hope that Dancing with the Sioux Falls Stars will be a memorable night for those that attend and help to connect them with the mission of NAMI Sioux Falls.”

Dancing with the Sioux Falls Stars will be held at The District in Sioux Falls On November 7.  The event begins at 6 p.m.

2015-10-07 21.05.15

Tickets are $50 or $75 for VIP, and can be purchased at DancingWithTheSiouxFallsStars.com or at the door. For more info about NAMI, visit NAMISiouxFalls.org.

Facebook Comments