Woofstock: Peace, Love And Pups
Danny & Ron’s Rescue Lip Sync Event Feb. 16 Promises A Groovy Night For A Great Cause
Grab your bell-bottoms, tie-dye shirts and go-go boots, and plan to attend the 16th annual Lip Sync event benefiting Danny & Ron’s Rescue on Sunday, Feb. 16 at Mida Farms in Wellington. This year’s theme, “Woofstock: Peace, Love & Pups,” will transport guests back to the 1960s, celebrating the spirit of the era while raising crucial funds to save homeless dogs. The evening will include special guest Gloria Gaynor.
Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta, the founders of Danny & Ron’s Rescue, never intended to start a dog rescue. Both equestrian trainers from South Carolina, they had always loved animals, but it was the heartbreaking images of dogs left stranded after Hurricane Katrina that changed their lives forever.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Danny and Ron drove their horse trailers to New Orleans and rescued 600 dogs. Initially, they planned to bring them to South Carolina shelters, but they soon realized these traumatized animals wouldn’t thrive there. They chose to care for the dogs themselves, mortgaging their home to cover the costs of medical care and rehabilitation. Slowly, the dogs began to heal, both physically and emotionally, and Danny and Ron found loving homes for all of them.
Rather than return to their normal lives, Danny and Ron were compelled to continue rescuing dogs. They founded Danny & Ron’s Rescue, which has since saved more than 14,000 dogs from shelters, puppy mills and neglectful situations, finding them loving homes across the U.S. and beyond. Their incredible story is documented in the film Life in the Doghouse, bringing national and international recognition to their cause.
The rescue’s lifesaving work is made possible by the generosity of their donors and supporters, many of whom reside in Wellington, where Danny and Ron spend the equestrian season.
One of the most popular fundraising events supporting the rescue is the annual Lip Sync contest, dreamed up by longtime volunteer Kim Kolloff. As a horse and dog lover herself, Kolloff was deeply moved by Danny and Ron’s commitment to housing their rescued dogs in their own home. “I knew at that point, that was the charity I wanted to support,” she said.
Despite an abundance of fundraisers, Kolloff noticed a lack of events that involved children, which sparked her idea for the Lip Sync contest. The event has become a beloved highlight of the Wellington equestrian season, giving young riders the chance to perform iconic hits while raising money for a great cause.
Now in its 16th year, the event has grown tremendously. Kolloff is thrilled by how it has evolved. “It has been amazing to witness the natural connection between children and dogs, and seeing the kids have the opportunity to save lives in their community,” she said.
This year, the Lip Sync event will be held at the stunning 20-acre Mida Farms, owned by renowned philanthropist and dedicated animal advocate Victoria McCullough. After serving as a judge at last year’s event, she generously offered to host the 2025 event. “I wanted the kids to have a special place to perform where they could really shine,” McCullough said.
The 2025 Lip Sync contest promises to be a far-out night to remember, with a groovy 1960s theme that will have guests reliving the decade’s most fab moments. Attendees are encouraged to embrace their inner flower child and don vintage threads while enjoying an evening of cocktails, lip-sync performances and fundraising.
Adding to the excitement, two-time Grammy Award-winning music legend Gloria Gaynor will serve as a VIP guest judge for the night’s competition. Known for her iconic hit “I Will Survive,” an anthem of empowerment and independence, Gaynor will captivate the audience with a live performance of this timeless classic. Guests will be dazzled by her passionate vocals and the uplifting energy of the song, which has become a symbol of strength for women, the LGBTQ+ community and anyone overcoming adversity. Guests will be thrilled to experience this legendary hit performed live, which is sure to be an unforgettable highlight of the evening.
With 500 guests expected to attend, the event is set to be a sell-out, bringing together animal lovers, equestrians and philanthropists for a night of fun, creativity and generosity. Tickets include access to a cocktail reception and the captivating performances by the Lip Sync teams, all while raising essential funds to support the rescue’s mission.
“This event is so special to us,” Ron Danta said. “The kids learn about giving back and also raising money to help save more dogs’ lives.”
“Their brilliant routines, along with a ‘bring the house down’ performance by Gloria Gaynor will make it a night for the history books,” Danny Robertshaw added.
Don’t miss out on this celebration of music, fashion and philanthropy — all in the name of saving more dogs in need.
Tables and tickets are available now, with sponsorship opportunities for those looking to make an even bigger impact. For event and sponsorship information, contact Jennifer Cohen at (561) 440-0445 or visit https://bit.ly/lipsync2025.
