‘Dancing with Our Stars’ raises over $167,000 for Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County

Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County proudly celebrated the 12th year of its signature fundraiser, Dancing with Our Stars, raising over $167,000 to support the organization’s mission of improving health, reducing hunger, and promoting independence through home-delivered, dietary-specific meals to residents of Hamilton County.

The event, held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Noblesville, paired local professional dancers with some of Hamilton County’s most well-known residents, who competed for the coveted titles of Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice.

This year’s Judges’ Choice (male) title went to Michael Sahm, Sales Manager at Indy Boat Co. He presented an award-winning cha-cha dance to Michael Jackson’s “Bad” with pro dancer Yulia Shook.

The winners of the Judges’ Choice are (from left) Yulia Shook and Michael Sahm (male category) and Ashley Hobbs and Scott Shook (female category). (Photo provided)

The 2026 Judges’ Choice for a female dancer went to property manager and real estate professional Ashley Hobbs. She and pro partner Scott Shook wowed the audience with a fox trot routine to Duke Ellington’s “Hit Me With A Hot Note.”

Audience votes determined this year’s People’s Choice Award winners, with three performers recognized. Taking first place was Duke Sturges, Area Manager at Gosiger, who performed a salsa with partner Angélica Magaña to “Blue Pachanga” by Charles Fox. Kevin Smith, Founding Optometrist at Kevin D Smith, OD – Fall Creek Vision Center, and partner Diana Miller earned second place with their tango-inspired routine to “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Natalie O’Hara, Director of Business Development at The Skillman Corporation and Vice Chair of Leadership Connection for the Rotary Club of Carmel, and partner Zhivko Yankov took third place with a cha-cha/swing mashup to a “Driving Thru Decades” medley.

Other Hamilton County “celebrities” include:

• Chad Lyon – Suite Manager of the Fifth Avenue Club at Saks Indianapolis
• Mitch Waldroup – Personal Injury Attorney at Hensley Legal Group, PC
• Faron Luce – Educator with the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide & travel advisor with The Greater Go
• Susan Hill – Ordained minister & recently retired from the Institute for Study Abroad

This year’s professional dancers also included Olga Cansino, Jennifer Fall, Rob Jenkins, and Adam Trogdlen, who provided exceptional performances alongside their celebrity partners.

Community Health Network served as the Ballroom Legacy Sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. Red Carpet Sponsors include Great Lakes Honda of Fishers, AIS Facilities Services, Gosiger, Fall Creek Vision Center and Mary Donahue. Center Stage Sponsors include Conner Prairie Alliance, Schmidt Associates, Rotary Club of Carmel, Hensley Legal Group, Infrastructure Contractors, Inc. and Stabilization Services, Inc. Encore Sponsors include Jem Jewellers, Elite Infusion, Cooper Group, Martin Marietta, Riverview Health, Rock Transport, Roof Scientist, Sahm’s Hospitality, the Current, Smith’s Jewelry and Dance Innovations.

Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County also extends a special thank you to Lorenda Carr, who has served as Executive Producer of Dancing with Our Stars for all 12 years of the event. Her dedication, creativity and expertise have helped make the event a continued success, and Meals on Wheels is grateful for her years of service and commitment to the organization.

Dancing with Our Stars continues to be the largest fundraiser for Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County, with each year’s donations supporting the delivery of thousands of meals to vulnerable Hamilton County residents. The organization extends its heartfelt thanks to all the participants, sponsors and community members who helped make the 2026 event a success.

About Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County
For the past five decades, Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County has been improving health, reducing hunger, and promoting independence through home-delivered, dietary-specific meals to residents of Hamilton County. The organization also expands access to healthy food for those facing financial hardship through the Sponsor-A-Meal program. Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County is dedicated to excellence, dependability, and community engagement. To learn more or to volunteer, call (317) 776-7159.