Megan McFall and Chloe Rose Schwartz. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

The Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition kicked off its 13th Dancing With Vero Star’s fundraising season with an eye-high kick worthy of the Radio City Rockettes during a Meet & Greet Reveal party at Riverside Theatre, where the big event will take place this spring.

Anticipation was high at the intimate gathering of former star dancers, pro dancers and this year’s troupe of star dancers, who have volunteered their time to raise funds, and train for the dance competition in hopes of earning the coveted Mirror Ball trophy.

Fundraising efforts support the mission of the Healthy Start Coalition to establish and support a local system of care that optimizes the health of mothers, babies and their families.

The evening marked the official announcement of the lineup of local celebrity dancers who come from diverse backgrounds, including a police officer, a former Marine and distillery owner, a chiropractor and an interior designer, among various other professions.

After a brief video highlighting the important work of Healthy Start to ensure babies get a good start in life, each dancer was introduced before their pro dance partner was revealed.

Introduced to the attendees were dancers Steve Renfrew and Lily Goulet, Dr. Jennifer Carter and Derek Wardle, Wesley Mills and Skylar Moore, Dr. Amber Callaway Lewis and Robert Scott, Jeff Palleschi and Marianella Tobar, Erin Lanahan Kolenda and Primo Garcia, Preet Singh and Alexandra Bacelo, Courtney Dietrich and Dimas Caraballo, and Chris Woodruff and Karren Walter. Patricia Davis Brown was unable to attend so her partner has not yet been announced.

“All of you have come today to help support our coalition that truly is the wraparound services for women, children and their families in this community,” said Megan McFall, IRCHS CEO.

“Our community is only as healthy as the women and children and families in this community.

So, starting from the very beginning is a lot easier than fixing broken adults.”

This friendly competition is the signature fundraising event for Healthy Start and requires considerably more than just tripping the light fantastic.

Between now and May 17, the celebrity contestants will be hard at work perfecting their routines in preparation for the big night. In addition to that, the dancers will host a variety of fundraisers, encourage ticket sales, and persuade friends and family members to buy auction items in their names. Contestants earn one point for every dollar raised.

Proceeds will go toward unrestricted funds for the nine evidence-based, patient-facing programs that Healthy Start provides to local families.

“All of these programs are free, regardless of your socioeconomic status and who you are in the community. We truly feel that being involved in them from the very beginning can change the outcomes in our community when we’re looking at maternal health and infant health,” said McFall.

The 2025 Dancing with Vero’s Stars event will be held on May 17 at Riverside Theatre. For more information, visit irchealthystartcoalition.org/dwvs.

Photos by Joshua Kodis