The people behind Dancing with OUR Stars are casting a wide net for actors, dancers, choreographers and backstage crews to help stage the Aug. 13 fundraiser.

The annual event raises money for Eagle’s Wings, a nonprofit food pantry based in Washington.

Though the competition – won by the team that raises the most money for Eagle’s Wings – is nearly five months away, volunteers hope to have all 18 dance teams in place soon, said Janet Cox, director/choreographer.

“We’re in the serious planning stages now,” she said.

As of Wednesday, 10 teams had signed up, about half of them representing local nonprofit organizations, Cox related.

Eagle’s Wings has elected to share growing proceeds from DWOS with other nonprofit entities.

“We’re excited about doing that,” said Sally Love, executive director of Eagle’s Wings.

Aiming to retain the ability to surprise the audience, Cox declined to release details about the acts č those will have to come when the show opens.

Cox stressed there still is space on the dance card for teams representing people not affiliated with nonprofits, including lawyers, doctors or other professionals.

“We just would like to reiterate that we’re being inclusive of the entire community,” she said.

For more information, contact Cox at 252-947-0032 or 252-946-9569, or e-mail her at jscox13@yahoo.com.

Interested parties also may call Eagle’s Wings at 252-975-1138 or check out the DWOS website, www.dancefordonations.com.

Sean “Nico” Nathan created the DWOS website, Cox shared.

According to Cox and Love, this year’s Dancing with OUR Stars will be more than a dance show.

Plans are being made for the inclusion of actors and vocalists, and the movers behind the show are busy discovering other ways to keep the production fresh.

“We’ve got some really cute ideas of things working,” said Cox.

This year’s DWOS theme is “Hooray for Hollywood,” with a little Broadway thrown in, said Love.

Dancing with OUR Stars is Eagle’s Wings’ biggest fundraiser. Last year, the occasion generated $51,895.78, breaking all records dating to the beginning of its three-year history.

DWOS is scheduled for its fourth-annual, Aug. 13 incarnation at the Washington High School Performing Arts Center.