10th annual Dancing with the Stars fundraiser a success! Nearly 400 guests joined by a record number of clients!

For the 10th time, the Lander and Riverton communities came together this past April 12th to celebrate Community Entry Services' commitment to our friends and neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries with a successful fundraising gala that raised just over $80,000.

All proceeds will go to the ongoing care of 110 adults with disabilities in Fremont County who are served in Lander and Riverton by a small army of staff and volunteers.

To start the evening a video highlighting the work of CES in the lives of client Leland Fighting Bear and his family was shown (link below).

CES client Leland Fighting Bear giving testimony of his experience being served at our Riverton facility for adults with acquired brain injuries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm4Nzmo2tiM

Members of the Whiteplume family performed a number of different styles of native dance while CES client Leland Fighting Bear performed with his brothers Ethan, Dakota and Jerome on an heirloom drum.

CES client LeLand on the drum. CES staff member, Lydell Whiteplume and his family performing Fancy, Grass, Traditional and Jingle dances.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters and staff, a record number of clients and staff were able to attend and received warm welcome from the nearly 400 local friends and supporters of CES.

David Dempster helped honor Linda Hudson, on this year's 50th anniversary of the founding of CES. Leland Fighting Bear (wheel chair, center) attended with many of his relatives and the staff of CES - the unsung heroes who make all of our work possible were invited to enjoy the evening.

CEO Shawn Griffin congratulates Ryan Piericini and Joni Lee on their performance. Judges Liam Vincent, Maycee Manzaneras, and Ernie Over energized the audience with their comments.

Long time volunteers, Sue Cessna and Carol Chidsey helping prep last minute details. CES staffer, Tracy Kellogg building the stage. Jan Loyka, one of a dozen volunteers helped assemble the signs, decorations and more. Special thanks to Marianne Pryor and Jeanne Heade for the overall theme look and feel!

Dancing with the Stars annual gala made possible thanks to wonderful sponsors!

DWTS 2025 was a success in large part thanks to our loyal sponsors: Riverton Tire and Oil, Fast Lane, Bailey's Tire and Auto, Wind River Casino, Shoshone Rose Casino and more...

The Whiteplume family dancers - Traditional tech with new tech! They represented 4 different styles of dance: Fancy, Grass, Traditional and Jingle

Volunteers for DWTS 2026 are welcome!

If you're interested in being a dancer, judge or part of the small army of behind the scenes volunteers, are all needed to continue the local tradition of raising support in a fun and exciting way each spring. Next year's event is tentatively scheduled for April 24-25, 2026.

Anyone interested is invited to reach out to our volunteer committee at Jstong@ces-usa.org

Black & White photos provided by https://blithephotography17.pixieset.com/