While soliciting donations in the current economic climate has proven to be difficult for nonprofits across the state, the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership seemed to beat the odds Thursday night when 575 people attended their annual “Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring” event at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.

“Obviously the economy is difficult for everyone right now but we did our best to keep our ticket prices down,” said Marketing and Recruitment Specialist Marc Mainville. “We have a lot of people who really care about the cause.”

Dancing with the Stars of Mentoring pairs prominent members of the Rhode Island community –some of whom have never set foot on a dance floor –with professional instructors from the Dancin’ Feelin’ studio in Warwick. Channel 10 anchor and former competitor Mario Hilario served as the host for the evening, with New England Patriots player Jarvis Green and Peter Koch, CEO of Koch Eye Associates, acting as the co-chairs.

The event raised $56,000 between ticket sales, proceeds from live and silent auctions and the coveted People’s Choice Award. To win the People’s Choice, celebrity dancers had to win the “votes” of the public. Each vote cost $1 and Ken Wild took the award home after raising more than $3,500. Wild, the district director for Congressman Jim Langevin, brought a large cheering section with him for moral support, including the Congressman.

When he kicked off the evening after dinner and stalked onto the dance floor in a number out of the “Phantom of the Opera,” one table erupted with applause and whistles while onlookers standing beside the floor held up signs that read, “Wild About Wild” and “Wild Thing.”

When Wild and his professional partner Rachael Capodanno finished their two-minute performance, he let out a sigh of relief and applauded the instructors who have been at their side since as early as November.

“The professionals at that studio are unbelievably patient with us,” he said, with his signature grin. “It is a lot of work. If I spent as much time on golf I’d be scratch.”

Following on the floor were Lite Rock 105 radio personality Heather Gersten and instructor David Endicott, who did an unexpected rendition of Flo Rida’s hip-hop song “Get Low.” The panel of judges, including Tony Maione, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island; Sue Stenhouse, director of community relations for Governor Donald Carcieri and Gary Jacobik, a ballroom dance judge from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, all applauded the duo on their bravery and sexy song choice. Gersten, who makes up one half of the Jones and Heather Morning Show, motioned to her co-host when she added that she’d be wearing her slinky red number to work the next day.

Next up was NBC 10 sports anchor Joe Kayata with three-year Dancing with the Stars veteran Amanda Cardeira. Kayata was surprisingly talented for an “amateur” dancer and the couple prompted a good deal of applause with their foxtrot.

“He was great -he was really dedicated,” said Cardeira of her partner.

The Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership is a cause close to Kayata’s heart. The journalist is in his second year of mentoring and explained to the audience in a video clip before he came out that he sees the improvement in his mentee. The partnership connects adult mentors to youth across the state through their three school-based mentoring programs and the 40 other mentor organizations they oversee.

Before the competition, Kayata said he was more comfortable on air and in the classroom than in the dancing spotlight, but the judges were unanimous that his performance was stellar.

“If you were outside of your comfort zone, it didn’t show at all. You make that all look so simple,” Stenhouse said.

Maione agreed, putting it in a way that Kayata could understand.

“I know you’re into sports -I think it was a home run tonight,” he said, laughing.

Courtney Hunter, the member relationship manager at People’s Credit Union, and her professional teammate Giancarlo Costa picked up the pace with a dramatic paso doble number.

“I was extremely nervous but the people at the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership and the whole audience made it worth it,” Hunter said.

City of Providence License Administrator Serena Conley really got the crowd going however, with a swing dance to “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” with dancer and police officer James Valkoun.

Prior to taking the floor, Conley was intently practicing in her vintage military dress in the lobby. As nerves set in, she couldn’t help but question what convinced her to sign on to performing in front of hundreds of people.

“Now I’m not so sure why I said yes,” she said, laughing and adding that the cause makes the nerves worth it. “It’s really exciting.”

As her music came on, several tables stacked with Conley fans waved American flags to play on the theme and her spirited, challenging dance number brought Providence Mayor David Cicciline to his feet.

“I think she deserves the day off tomorrow after that,” he said, presenting her with flowers.

That demonstration brought out some jealousy from the next performer, Miss Kitty Litter, who playfully asked the mayor where her flowers were following the main event. Miss Kitty Litter, also known as Stephen Hartley, is a comedian and performer who has been raising money for charitable causes since childhood. A former judge and host, Miss Kitty Litter said the footwork end of the event is a lot more difficult.

“I’m not a nervous person. I’ve performed in front of thousands of people but I was very nervous,” she said after a creative Viennese waltz to “I Feel Pretty” with her partner Randy Deats, who is co-owner of the Dancin’ Feelin’ studio. “Whatever Randy tells me to do, I do.”

After that performance, which later won the Most Entertaining Award, former competitor Sue Stenhouse had just one question for Miss Kitty Litter.

“I’m about your height. I was wondering if I could borrow that dress,” she said about her flowing turquoise gown.

The competition wrapped up with the much-awaited performance by Patriots running back Sammy Morris who, thanks to the help of Deb O’Donnell, showed his prowess off the field as well as on. Morris maintains that the football is easier.

“If someone doesn’t like what I’m doing on the field I can hit back, where here I have to sit and take it,” he said.

After conferring and tallying up scores based on overall performance, technical value and costumes, the judges decided that Morris was the big winner and presented him with the Judge’s Choice Award.

Some of the big-ticket auction items brought in hefty sums for the organization, including Patriots tickets and a personal tour of the stadium from Morris that went for $1,500 and a walk-on role in a Cardi’s commercial that sold for $2,500.

President and CEO Arlene McNulty is already looking forward to next year’s event and says they’ll have their celebrity line-up by September.

“I thought the event was awesome,” she said. “Everyone really had a wonderful time. It couldn’t have gone better.”