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The following was submitted by Kim McGowen, annual giving officer for Stanly Health Foundation, host of Stanly County’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

The excitement for the 12th annual Dancing with the Stars event supporting Butterfly House Children’s Advocacy Center continues to build, with two more extraordinary participants ready to light up the stage: Kristen Wallace and Greg Morris.
Kristen Wallace, a native Charlottean, has made Stanly County her home for the past five years.
She cherishes the perfect family atmosphere found here, balancing the proximity to Charlotte with the tranquility of Stanly County.
A graduate of UNCC with a degree in Sociology, Kristen works as a talent advisor for Cedar Fair Entertainment.
As a mother to two active girls, Rhys (10) and Ellie (7), she spends most of her free time chauffeuring them to various activities. The girls attend Endy Elementary School, and during the offseason, the family enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, boating and exploring the local area.
Kristen’s interests include researching ancestry, traveling and exploring all things history. Her strong faith and close family ties are paramount in her life.
Fun fact: Kristen did cotillion for seven years when she was younger, and learned to dance.
Greg Morris was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where he developed a passion for criminal justice early on.
Greg played baseball and football growing up but found his true calling in law enforcement. As a teenager, he volunteered as an officer for the NYPD Auxiliary.
He attended Kingsborough College, majoring in Criminal Justice, and later became a Peace Officer with the City University of New York Public Safety Department.
After earning multiple commendations, he moved to the East End of Long Island, where he became a certified code and fire enforcement official and a volunteer firefighter.
In 2021, Greg relocated to Stanly County, where he now serves as the chief code enforcement officer for the City of Albemarle and a police officer with the Oakboro Police Department.
Greg, engaged to Kristi Neal, is the father of Stella (10), Niko (8) and Lucas (4), and is soon to be the stepfather to Lilly (9) and Easton (7).
In his free time, he enjoys cooking Italian food, collecting sports memorabilia and playing sports with his kids. A die-hard New York Mets fan, Greg also loves participating in charity softball games with his OPD family.
A fun fact about Greg is that he did stand-up comedy in college.
Kristen and Greg’s participation in the Dancing with the Stars event underscores their commitment to their community and their shared passion for supporting the Butterfly House.
This event will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. The theme, “Magic of Motown,” promises a night filled with soulful music and mesmerizing dance performances.
With eleven dance teams working hard on their routines and fundraising efforts, the night is set to be a spectacular celebration of talent and community spirit.
Tickets are now available, and the community is encouraged to come out and support Kristen, Greg, and all the participants. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Butterfly House Children’s Advocacy Center, providing essential services to children and families in need.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stanlydancing.com.