Hundreds of students joined together at an all-night dance marathon to help rally funds and support to combat childhood illness. The marathon raised more than $60,000 for The Children Miracle Network at the Duke Children’s Hospital.
More than 150 schools across the nation participate in Dance Marathon to help raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network, an international non-profit organization, which has raised about $3.4 billion for 170 hospitals around the world.
This was N.C. State’s first dance marathon and the event raised more money than is typically expected. UNC-Chapel Hill’s first dance marathon raised about $40,000. Chapel Hill in total has raised about $3.3 million dollars.
The University’s administration said it will hold similar marathons annually and hopes that students can meet the challenge of raising more money every year.
Amanda Brookie, a senior in fashion and textile management and a director of the Dance Marathon at NCSU, said helping kids and having a great time volunteering is very satisfying.
“Giving up one night and being on your feet for 12.5 hours may seem like a lot, but I can not even put into words how powerful and heartwarming the dance marathon was,” Brookie said. “Getting to meet the children and families at the marathon that we raised money for this past year was so special and inspiring.”
Alan Sheridan, a graduate student in computer science, led the diverse group of students that put together the University’s first marathon. According to Sheridan, the idea for the event came to him when he was at a similar dance marathon in Chapel Hill. He said he found the cause of raising money for children with serious medical conditions to be inspirational. For Sheridan, seeing the event at Chapel Hill begged the question: “Why not do it at N.C. State?”
N.C. State has the largest student population in the UNC System and many students do not live not too far from main campus. One key aspect of the dance marathon that Sheridan thought would be beneficial for the students is its ability to bring people together. Whether you’re in Greek life, studying engineering or English, tall or short, everyone has a compelling reason to come together to dance, have fun and help out those in need in the process, Sheridan said.
The 12-and-a-half-hour marathon, which took place from Saturday at 7:30 p.m. to Sunday at 8:00 a.m., had something for everyone even for those who do not like to dance. The event featured board games, video games, speeches, a computer station for social networking and letter and craft stations for students who wanted to make things for the kids.
Many important University figures attended the event to speak on the behalf of the patients between dance sessions including, Chancellor Randy Woodson, Vice Chancellor Eileen Goldgeier, Student Body President Andy Walsh. Families of patients affected by the marathon also attended the event to show their support.
