A five-year interlude was plenty.

More than 400 people packed into the Vernon Recreation Centre's auditorium for the triumphant return of Dancing With The Vernon Stars, a major fundraiser for the North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS), Saturday, Sept. 28.

Nine teams were making their final appearance after months of practice, and through the teams' efforts and corporate event sponsorship, a total of $170,800 was raised on the CanadaHelps online platform. That far exceeded the goal of $140,000.

And the final total raised will go higher, as fundraising from the last event is still to be added.

"We couldn鈥檛 be happier to have Dancing with the Vernon Stars back after five years and surpass all expectations," said Megan Cox, NOHS executive director. "The event was an outstanding success, and we are already starting the planning for next year."

The Judge鈥檚 Choice Award went to Ginny and Pete Scott of the Scott Family Revival for their spirited jive dance, complete with matching red sneakers. Kris Fuller and Ryan Sheepwash of Flirty Dancing took the prize for Community Favourite Award with the most votes received on the event night.

Record-breaking fundraising led to a tie being declared for the Highest Fundraiser Award with two teams both raising more than $30,000 - Kari Sargeant and Teresa Sanders of Four Left Feet, and Rebecca and Sophia Barton of the Disco Balls team.

The remaining teams of the total nine who took part in the event:

鈥� Team Helland 鈥� Brent and Susie Helland;

鈥� Patti Pas-de-deux 鈥� Aaron and Michelle Volpatti;

鈥� Team Schneider 鈥� Katie and Stefan Schneider;

鈥� Stage Shakers 鈥� Jason Kankam and Elle James;

鈥� Abhidi 鈥� Vinil Sood and Mallika Satti.

鈥淎 special thank you to our event manager, Carolyn Hoffmann, and to our dancers, sponsors, coaches, judges, 40-plus volunteers, silent auction organizers, donors and patrons for helping us raise funds for hospice,鈥� said Jen Pace, NOHS financial officer. 鈥淭he dedication and commitment to our organization is greatly appreciated and significantly contributes to the continuation of providing quality end-of-life care in the North Okanagan.鈥�

For more information about Dancing with the Vernon Stars, contact .