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Marquette, MI – Dancing with Our Stars couple, Reed Benton and Jennifer Huetter have announced a charity basketball game to benefit the U.P. Hospice Foundation.
Hoops for Hospice will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Vandament Arena inside the PEIF building on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Local celebrities, including Local 3 Sports Anchor Jake Durant, will be playing against NMU alumni and current players of NMU’s Men’s and Women’s basketball team.
The purpose of the event is to help raise awareness and funds for the U.P. Hospice Foundation. Benton and Huetter are participating in this year’s Dancing with Our Stars Redemption Season. The couple will be dancing the Salsa on May 24 and 25 at Forest Roberts Theatre.
This is the fifth season for Dancing with our Stars and 100% of the proceeds raised through fundraising by each dance couple goes toward hospice patients and their families.
“We’re so honored to be a part of this event for the second year,” said Reed Benton. “To be able to be involved with an organization that supports so many families during such critical times is very special. All the dance teams are working very hard to raise funds to help support and increase awareness about the importance of hospice care.”
Some of this year’s Celebrity Players are listed below:
Travis Alexander, Motions Fitness
Mike Angeli, Marquette City Manager
Mandee Dafoe, Marquette Branch Prison
Bill Digneit, Double Trouble Entertainment
Pat Digneit, Double Trouble Entertainment
Victor Harrington, UP Health System
Bridgette LaPointe, Upper Peninsula Health Plan
Mariah LaPointe Dunham, City Insurance
Janell Larson, UP Rehab Services
Victoria Leonhardt, Great Lakes Center for Youth Development
Karla McCutcheon, Marquette Senior High School
Christian Palomaki, River Valley Bank
Ryan Reichel, Ishpeming High School
Jesse Schramn, Checker Transport
Tim Strom, Closner Construction
“This event is a great way to bring so many community leaders together for a great cause,” said Jennifer Huetter. “We’ve had a tremendous response with many well-known individuals willing to step up and participate in a fun-filled basketball game. NMU has been great to work with and we’re very appreciative of the athletes for giving of their time to put on a great show and support the UP Hospice Foundation.”
Tickets are $11.00 and are available at any NMU Ticket Outlet or online at tickets.nmu.edu. In addition to an exciting basketball game, there will be a special half time show, 50/50, concessions and audience participation opportunities.
Sponsorships for the game are available. Donations to the UP Hospice Foundation are tax deductible.
