With winter break behind us, being back on campus has never felt so good! After reuniting with friends, enjoying syllabus week, and getting acclimated with classes, it’s time to throw yourself into some great community service activities. The perfect opportunity to get involved is right around the corner: Dance Marathon!
Dance Marathon is a successful fundraiser that benefits the Children’s Miracle Network. Every spring, students in the Dance Marathon RSO plan a multi-hour dance event where hundreds of students on campus come and dance through the night to raise money for the children of St. John’s Hospital. The event combines entertainment, dance choreography, food, and enthusiasm to support a great cause. Participants dance for sick children who can’t, and the funds raised from the event are donated to children facing serious medical and health issues.
HerCampus spoke with sophomore Mary Burd, who serves as an executive member for Dance Marathon, to get a better idea of what this event is all about.
HC: Tell me about Dance Marathon!
MB: Well, this year we are hosting the event at the ARC for 13 hours; we are doing this to make the event more symbolic of a half-marathon. Throughout the night there are different time slots allotted to see entertainment, take a food break, participate in the dancing and hear the stories of the children who have benefitted from this organization.
HC: Why did you get involved with Dance Marathon?
MB: Last year, Dance Marathon was promoted within our sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. Members of our chapter who were involved encouraged our participation. After getting involved last year, and seeing how rewarding an experience it is, I wanted to do more to help. So this year I decided to become a part of the executive board.
HC: What is your favorite part of participating in Dance Marathon?
MB: My favorite part is experiencing the presence of the children we work to help. It is much more rewarding to get to meet the kids we are helping face-to-face. We get to see how far they have come with the help of our organization.
In order to get involved, participants must pay a $20 registration fee. This fee covers the cost of a Dance Marathon T-Shirt, and the food that is provided during the event. Dancers who sign up are encouraged to raise $150 prior to the event. The event is February 24th-25th, and the registration deadline is February 3rd! Participants do not need to have any dance experience to take part; anyone is welcome to get involved!
Check out the Dance Marathon website to learn more!