Lights, camera, literacy: lip syncing for a good cause

FLORENCE — Hundreds gathered at the Florence Area Literacy Council's Lip Sync Battle for a night of food, fun and fundraising.

More than $30,000 was raised through voting, sponsorships and a silent auction for the nonprofit's tutoring program that helps Florence adults become more confident in their reading, writing, math and life skills.

Teams sponsored by seven businesses across Florence battled it out on stage to come out on top and raise money for the nonprofit. Personalized shirts, colorful sombreros and poster-sized cutouts of a contestant's face dotted the audience.

"This was the most difficult year that the judges have had in selecting a winner," said Gary Finklea, an event judge and Florence attorney. "Every act exceeded our expectations."

Finklea has judged at the event since it began in 2016. The fundraiser grew out of a lunchtime conversation between Executive Director Christina Lawson and Michelle Hackman. Lawson honored Hackman on stage with a surprise from Frankie Humphrey's Elvis for encouraging her to go through with the lip sync battle eight years ago.

Frankie Humphrey made a special guest appearance as Elvis Presley at the June 8 Lip Sync Battle fundraiser for the Florence Area Literacy Council at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing Technology. Chris Day/Staff

"Whenever you’re trying a new fundraiser as a nonprofit it's pretty scary because you don't know what's going to happen," Lawson said at the event.

Hackman pushed the project, pushed Lawson and has been a driving force behind the fundraiser ever since, Lawson said. The annual fundraiser has brought in tens of thousands of dollars for the nonprofit since its start.

First, second and third place winners were selected by three judges. Lip sync abilities, appearance, crowd appeal and creativity were among the criteria the judges used to crown the winners.

The fan-favorite winner, Campbell Accounting Solutions, was chosen by the crowd's votes. One vote equaled one dollar. The team's wig-heavy and American Sign Language inclusive performance of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ classic "Islands in the Stream" brought in thousands of dollars.

Team Campbell Accounting Solutions were voted fan favorites for collecting the most money for the Florence Area Literacy Council at the Lip Sync Battle. The team of Betsy Campbell and Vickie Wall performed "Islands in the Stream," which was recorded by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Chris Day/Staff

"We have a heart for the Literacy Council," said Betsy Campbell of Campbell Accounting Solutions. "We were fan-favorites last year so we’re defending champions."

Crowd work was a big part of the mics-off event. Performers would get off stage and lip sync to the judges, dance between tables and toss confetti.

The team from Ruiz Foods took crowd work seriously. Some members of the company danced around the room in sombreros and passed out can coolers while the team performed Los del Río's "Macarena" in mariachi-inspired costumes.

Team Ruiz Foods took second place in the June 8 Florence Area Literacy Council's Lip Sync Battle. The team performed to "The Macarena" by Spanish pop duo Los del Rio. Chris Day/Staff

Brian Harrelson, a production supervisor for Ruiz Foods, took center stage in high heels, a colorful floor-length dress and a headpiece decked in flowers. He and the team took home second place for the performance.

"This was the [song] we thought would make everybody get up and pitch in," he said. "It's for a great cause, we support the Literacy Council all the time with different fundraisers and things of that nature."

Team McLeod Health grabbed third place in the June 8 Florence Area Literacy Council's Lip Sync Battle. The team performed to "I Need A Hero" by Bonnie Tyler. Chris Day/Staff

Acts such as McLeod Health's second-place-winning performance of Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero" and The Manor's Saturday Night Live-inspired take on Loverboy's "Living for the Weekend" were followed by a performance from first place winners from Jenn-E Fitness.

Jennifer Edwards operates Jenn-E Fitness as a personal trainer, Zumba instructor and leader for other fitness-centered services. The other members of her team, the Glam Girls, take classes with Edwards and served as her sparkle-studded entourage on stage.

The group performed to a mashup of Destiny Child's "Survivor" and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" sung and recorded by Edwards.

"Everyone survives, we’re surviving something in our day-to-day lives," she said. "I haven't seen anyone advocate for literacy like [the Literacy Council]."

Team Jen E. Fitness and the Glam Girls won first place at the Florence Area Literacy Council's June 8 Lip Sync Battle. Jennifer Edwards and the Glam Girls performed "I Will Survive," originally recorded by Gloria Gaynor. Chris Day/Staff

Funds from the Lip Sync Battle will help the nonprofit supply learning materials to students and operate their facility. The nonprofit tutors nearly 80 Florence-area adults each year through the support of fundraisers, donations and volunteer tutors.

The nonprofit gets support from businesses throughout the year as well as private donations. Anderson Brothers Bank was given the Margie Strand Light of Literacy Award at the event to honor their commitment to fundraising for the nonprofit.

One in three adults in Florence County can't read above a fifth-grade level according to the nonprofit. The Florence Area Literacy Council helps adults build confidence, proficiency and end the cycle of illiteracy in families.

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