Stephen Paduano is thrilled to step—quite literally—out of his comfort zone for the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser benefiting Hillside Food Outreach. Stephen is no stranger to tackling challenges, but dancing? That’s a summit he’s yet to conquer. His dance experience is limited to a handful of weddings, where his moves could generously be described as “enthusiastic” but admittedly “poorly executed.” Still, when Hillside called, Stephen couldn’t resist lacing up his dancing shoes for a cause that resonates deeply with him.

Hillside Food Outreach’s mission to provide healthy food initiatives for families and individuals in need struck a chord with Stephen, a community-minded soul committed to making a difference. He was drawn not just to the organization’s vital work—delivering nutritious meals to those facing food insecurity—but also to its holistic approach to dignity and support. For Stephen, this fundraiser is a chance to give back, one awkward twirl at a time, to a community he cherishes.

Beyond the dance floor, Stephen serves as a board member of the John Pettibone Scholarship Fund, where he helps empower young minds through the need based education scholarship fun. When he’s not advocating for others, you might find him enjoying snowy slopes as an avid skier, scaling peaks as a mountaineer, or penning his thoughts as a passionate writer.

For Stephen, this event is more than a dance—it’s a chance to blend his zest for life with his dedication to service. He may not have the rhythm of a pro (yet!), but his heart is in step with Hillside’s mission. So, cheer him on as he trades his ski poles for sequins, all to raise funds and awareness for a healthier, stronger community. Who knows? By the end of the night, Stephen might just surprise us all with a hidden flair for swing!

On Saturday, April 26th Stephen will be performing at Hillside Food Outreach's 16th annual "Dancing with our Stars" event! Please help Stephen out by voting for him as your favorite dancer and then join him that night to see if all of his hard work pays off!  For every vote, you are helping to feed our hungry neighbors in need ensuring no one goes to bed hungry, and every vote is 100% tax-deductible!

Each $10 donation = 1 vote. You can vote as many times as you would like.