SPACE COAST DAILY TV SPECIAL PRESENTATION
ABOVE VIDEO: Longtime Brevard Resident Barbara Furtney, Melbourne Ballroom’s Barry Johnson Perform at ‘Dancing for the Space Coast’
WATCH REPLAY: 2022 ‘Dancing For the Space Coast’ Charity Fundraiser Event Raises Over $400,000 For Local Charities.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard County’s signature fundraising annual event “Dancing For the Space Coast” was presented Saturday night at Florida Tech’s Clemente Center to an enthusiastic who’s-who sold-out crowd of more than 800 people.
For those who couldn’t get a ticket or attend the event, Space Coast Daily live-streamed all the exciting action live On-Demand via the Space Coast Daily TV App. The Space Coast Daily TV app is available for download in the Apple TV App Store, Amazon Fire TV Store and Roku TV Channel Store.
Over the last 10 years, “Dancing for the Space Coast” has become the largest charity event in Brevard County and the 2022 edition raised more than $400,000, which will benefit the House of Hope, Promise in Brevard, the Veterans Memorial Center and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Charity.
Barbara Furtney has been a Brevard County resident for 39 years. Born in Illinois, Barbara moved to Florida after receiving her engineering degree in software from the University of Illinois. Her family used to tell a story that when she was nine, she found out there was a state where it is “sunny all of the time” and she was setting her goal to move there.
Barbara worked on a variety of large systems projects for Harris Corporation for 12 years. While working, she took evening classes to get her M.B.A. from the Florida Institute of Technology.
When Harris and GE formed a joint venture on automated train control, Barbara transitioned to work at GE on automated train control for 5 years.
In 1983, Barbara married Rick Furtney, a Semiconductor Executive, and together they were blessed with 3 amazing boys, Matthew Furtney (Sarah), Dr. Joshua Furtney, and Isaac Furtney (Samantha).
Barbara retired from engineering to be able to spend more time with her boys and to build their lovely home in Indian Harbour Beach. She became a very active community volunteer in her retirement. She enjoyed creating the lesson plans for the Character Education program at Holy Trinity Episcopal School Lower School and volunteering in the classroom for 17 years, long after her children had moved on. She taught English as a Second Language at her church, First Baptist of Melbourne, and on mission in Panama. She enjoyed serving at her church for vacation bible school, community service projects, and on various committees.
Barbara also volunteered, served, and was on the Board of Directors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Brevard County. She truly has a passion for helping others.
Life came to an abrupt change at the end of 2020 when Barbara’s beloved husband of 37 years went home to be with the Lord after a yearlong battle with cancer.
After several months, Barbara found dancing to be incredibly enjoyable and uplifting. It’s the perfect blend of music and excitement. She loves staying active and enjoys travel, weightlifting, walking, hiking, boating, ham radio, and spending time with friends and family.
For those who couldn’t get a ticket or attend the event, Space Coast Daily live-streamed all the exciting action live On-Demand via the Space Coast Daily TV App. The Space Coast Daily TV app is available for download in the Apple TV App Store, Amazon Fire TV Store and Roku TV Channel Store.
Over the last 10 years, “Dancing for the Space Coast” has become the largest charity event in Brevard County and the 2022 edition raised more than $400,000, which will benefit the House of Hope, Promise in Brevard, the Veterans Memorial Center and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Charity.
Tim Thomas Wins With Patriotic-Themed Dance Routine
The Grand Champion of this year’s event was Melbourne City Councilman and Viera High School ROTC Senior Army Instructor Col. Tim Thomas and his instructor Heidi Arnold from Dancin’ Dance Studio in Indialantic. Thomas, a highly decorated retired U.S. Army officer, wowed the crowd with his patriotic-themed dance routine.
Dancer Ashley Buescher of Promise in Brevard and instructor Barry Johnson of Melbourne Ballroom placed second. The team of Danielle Masucci, a Realtor for Blue Marlin, and instructor Primo Garcia placed third.
This highly entertaining event also showcased the outstanding efforts of dancers Zachary Biddulph, Lenora Caines, Barbara Furtney, Mindy Gibson, Rob Medina and Jayvo Scott.
Leading up to the event, the local celebrities dancing in the event helped raise money months prior to the event, while preparing for their complex dance routine in front of a massive crowd.
The charity event was hosted by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and emceed by Sheriff Wayne Ivey who helped facilitate a live auction and live dance performances by dance professionals and local celebrities who competed to raise money for Brevard County non-profit organizations.
“The true stars of the event are the dancers who work diligently to raise money for these worthy causes,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
Bragging Rights on the Line
Each celebrity dancer was matched up with a professional dancer as they competed in a ballroom dance – and for bragging rights as the best dancer in Brevard.
On the evening of the competition, each dance pair competed in a choreographed ballroom dance that will be scored by a panel of judges. During the show, couples earned scores based on several technical skill factors, but the judges’ scores alone don’t decide the dancer’s final score.
Leading up to the actual performance, the dancers already scored 60 percent of their points through their fundraising endeavors to benefit needy charities.
Dancing For the Space Coast is presented by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and sponsored by L3Harris and Space Coast Daily and Florida Tech.
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