The countdown has begun for the show in which eight locals will transform into professional dancers and show off their best moves.

Boca’s Ballroom Battle returns on September 14. More than 800 spectators at the Boca Raton Resort will watch their friends and neighbors compete on the dance floor to raise money for the George Snow Scholarship Fund.

In a city where the social season consists of a barrage of luncheons, galas and golf tournaments, the fund makes a point of hosting unusual fundraisers.

“Throughout the history of our organization, we’ve always done pretty unique events that have been very successful and that people actually look forward to, which is very gratifying from the community,” says Tim Snow, president of the fund. “I look back and when we started 17 years ago, we were giving out about $330,000 in scholarships. This year, we’ve given out over $5 million in scholarships and support.”

For five months, the dancers dedicated their time to training with professional dancers at the Fred Astaire Studios, perfecting their routines to the point where they became muscle memory, organizing fundraisers and raising awareness of the George Snow Scholarship Fund’s work in the community.

The scholarship fund not only provides students with the money they need to attend college, but also supports them in their adult lives. “We treat them like our own children,” Snow says. For example, we send them care packages, buy computers and provide emergency funds. Thanks to the comprehensive support, the fund has a 90% graduation rate – the national college graduation rate is less than 70%.

Since the fund was established in 1982, 3,318 students have benefited from the scholarships. Snow remembers one scholarship recipient who became a doctor and later sent him a photo of herself and her children.

“It not only helps (the students), it helps their families and really helps the future generations that come after these young people, because this education that they can afford will change the course of their lives,” Snow said. “I don’t think there is a greater gift than an education.”

The nonprofit was founded in honor of Snow’s father and the organization’s namesake, George Snow. He was a high school math teacher who died in a tragic helicopter crash in 1980. To continue his legacy, the George Snow Scholarship Fund was established to ensure that money is not a barrier to educating local students.

For Tim Snow, Bocas Ballroom Battle is special because of the “love and energy in the room.”

“Everyone in this room really understands how committed these dancers are and what they’ve sacrificed to get there,” he says. “Everyone is cheering each other on, and you can feel it.”

Co-chairing this year’s event are former Boca Ballroom Battle dancers Danielle Rosse and Brad Winstead. This year’s dancers:

“They say everyone is afraid of public speaking,” Snow says. “But when you have to dance in front of 800 people, I think it’s a whole different story. The fact that they agreed to do this for our organization and our scientists speaks volumes about the kind of people they are.”

Bocas Ballroom Battle takes place on September 14th in Boca Raton. For more information and tickets, visit ballroombattle.com.