AUGUSTA -— Busy real estate brokers are taking a break from buying and selling properties to cram ballroom dance lessons into their days.

A group of more than a dozen local Realtors, their relatives and affiliate members are learning to foxtrot and swing dance in preparation for a showcase to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

The “Dancing with the Realtors” showcase is modeled after the hit ABC show “Dancing with the Stars.” The benefit, organized by Debra DelMonaco and Shawn Roy of the Kennebec Valley Board of Realtors, is set for Feb. 4 at the Governor Hill Mansion on State Street.

“I used to dance when I was younger, and I just thought it would be a fun thing for a worthy cause,” said dancer Pam Casavant of Century 21 Surette Real Estate, Waterville. “I never did ballroom dance but I did other kinds, forms of dance: classical, ballet, tap, jazz, modern. We’re talking 30-plus years ago.”

The exception was her participation in a modern dance five years ago at the invitation of Colby Dancers at Colby College.

Casavant, now 53, said the steps for the foxtrot and swing dances are basic. “A lot of upper body quality and placement you have to work on,” she said.

The local dancers, all paired with American Ballroom professional dancers, practice weekly at the Kennebec Dance Centre.

Last week, she practiced in high-heeled sandals because she has yet to get her ballroom dance shoes or dress.

“I’m looking around right now,” she said. “It’s going to be quite interesting. It’s been fun, a good group of people. I’m enjoying it.”

Casavant and the other local dancers also are soliciting for sponsors who will donate to the event.

DelMonaco, of ERA Webb in Augusta, and Roy, of Vallee Real Estate in Hallowell, flew to Boston to watch a show and meet Linda Covino, a Realtor who has organized a “Dancing with the Realtors” event to benefit Habitat for Humanity for the past five years. Those shows have raised about $180,000.

DelMonaco said she expects the 225 event tickets to sell out at $20 each, raising $4,500 in the process. She said the mansion space has been donated and that Mark Johnston, president of Kennebec Savings Bank, volunteered to play the piano during the social hour.

She said the group doesn’t know how much money it can raise.

“We’re ecstatic,” said George Diplock, co-chairman of the board the Southern Kennebec County chapter of Habitat for Human of Habitat. “We’ve been having trouble getting to the point where we can build one house per year. The pace has been one house every three years. We hope events like this can get us on track, bring in funding and increase awareness for our chapter.”

Proceeds of the “Dancing with the Realtors” event in February will be split between the Southern Kennebec County and the Waterville Area chapters of Habitat for Humanity.

DelMonaco is dancing and Roy will serve as master of ceremonies.

“Hopefully he will be dancing next year,” she said.

“People are being very generous right now,” DelMonaco said. “It’s a great stress reliever from real estate, and we’re just having so much fun.”

A group from Keltie Collins’ Kennebec Dance Theatre will perform during the event, and Collins herself will be one of three judges. One judge will be from the Boston group, and an auction will determine who gets to be the third judge.

DelMonaco said the local dancers are volunteers who agreed to commit to 10 professional lessons with American Ballroom and each paid a $250 fee.

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