St. Clair County Community College Professors James and Patricia Frank of Burtchville Township participate in the Dancing with the “Local Stars” competition Saturday, Nov. 6, at the SC4 Foundation Red Carpet Affair. The Franks won the competition by raising the most money through pledges.

The SC4 Foundation Red Carpet Affair on Saturday, Nov. 6, broke records for attendance, jewelry raffle tickets sold and total money raised.

More than 300 people attended the formal gala, which raised about $44,000 to benefit St. Clair County Community College. The previous record, set in 2007, was about $38,000.

Of this year's total, $4,350 was raised by four couples as part of the gala's Dancing with the “Local Stars” competition. Red Carpet Affair attendees were asked to “vote” for their favorite couple by filling out a donation pledge card.

The winning couple, raising the most money, was SC4 Professors James and Patricia Frank of Burtchville Township, sponsored by Coughlin Jewelers.

Other dancing couples were:

• Karen Newman of West Bloomfield and SC4 Board of Trustees Chair John Adair of Fort Gratiot, sponsored by Rick Currie Master Goldsmith.
• Local artist Valerie Hoste of Port Huron and local dancer Manfred Boden of Marysville, sponsored by Alexander Fine Jewelers.
• Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp and her husband, Greg, sponsored by Mosher's Jewelers.

Dance Company Conservatory of Port Huron Township provided dancing instruction.

First Michigan Bank was platinum sponsor for the event, which included more than 60 other sponsors.

A drawing featured five pieces of fine jewelry valued at more than $3,000 donated by Alexander Fine Jewelers of Fort Gratiot, Coughlin Jewelers of St. Clair and Mosher's Jewelers and Rick Currie Master Goldsmith, both of Port Huron.

Guests dined on specialty food items donated by 16 area restaurants and danced to music provided by Big Foot DJ in SC4's College Center. Wolverine Market of Port Huron provided a complimentary welcome beverage and Vintage Tavern of Port Huron provided the event's signature cocktail. Christopher's Flowers provided decor coordination and the SC4 Athletic Department provided valet parking.

Celebrity master of ceremonies was Karen Newman, voice of the Detroit Red Wings. The program included a memorial tribute to the late John W. Shier, who served on the SC4 Foundation Board of Directors from 1978 to 2008, and a special presentation by SC4 Foundation scholarship recipient Joel Smith of Port Huron.

The following restaurants donated specialty food:

• Alexander's Premier Banquet Facility/Restaurant
• Bistro College Center Catering/SC4 Culinary Arts
• The Black River Café
• Black River Country Club
• Cheap Charlie's Restaurant
• Chef Mike's Catering
• Chef Shell's Catering
• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
• Daybreak Café
• Great Bakes Station
• Port Huron Golf Club
• Quay Street Brewing Co.
• Raven Café
• Superior Backstreet Deli
• Tony's Food Paradise
• Vintage Tavern

For a gallery of event photos and dancing competition videos, visit www.sc4.edu/redcarpet.

Chartered in 1963, the SC4 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to assisting St. Clair County Community College in developing its educational programs, expanding its facilities and supporting its students. For more information about the foundation, contact David Goetze, SC4's director of college advancement and alumni relations, at (810) 989-5761 or dpgoetze@sc4.edu.