More than 250 children and C of C students danced the night away in the Carolina First Arena Feb. 26 for the annual Dance Marathon, which raised a school record-breaking $75,038.44 for the Children’s Miracle Network.
The Marathon started at 7 p.m. Friday and lasted for 15 hours, ending at 10 a.m. Saturday. Student volunteers taught and performed a choreographed dance for children and families from MUSC Children’s Hospital. The event also consisted of food, games and music.
A group of advisors, along with a student executive board and morale team, dedicated countless hours to planning the event.
“This is a yearlong endeavor. We pick a new board for next year’s Marathon almost as soon as this one is over,” advisor Libby Cole said. “We put in hundreds of hours.”
Junior Samantha Maloni, who serves on the executive board, has been involved with Dance Marathon for two years. She was responsible for the choreography for much of the dance and attended weekly meetings for the event. Maloni also said she had to prepare mentally for the event.
Freshman Brenna McNamara joined the morale team at the beginning of the school year and has contributed much of her time to the event as well.
“We practiced once or twice a week starting the first month of school. We had to learn the dance and what Dance Marathon was all about,” McNamara said.
Each participant was asked to raise at least $150 for the organization. Whereas in past years this may have been lenient, this year was different.
“This year we strictly enforced the fundraising, which I think really made a difference in the passion of the people who got involved,” Cole said.
Besides the monetary goal of Dance Marathon, it serves as a relationship-building experience for college students and the families of sick or injured children. The 15-hour event allows these children to make new friends and have fun.
Third-year Dance Marathon attendee Mia Turner is a patient at the Children’s Hospital and comes from Myrtle Beach to take part in the activities. Mia said her favorite part of the night is the music and meeting the students.
Dance Marathon was created in 1991 and can now be found at more than 100 colleges across America. It encourages students to “Dance for those who can’t” and to “Do it for the kids!” which is exactly what Maloni has found to be the most rewarding aspect of the event.
“The kids are the best. I like to interact with them and see the difference we can make in their lives,” Maloni said.
McNamara finds the time spent with the kids to be her most cherished moments as well.
“I met a few girls who were the coolest kids I’ve ever met,” McNamara said. “The Marathon has been awesome. I will have no voice, but it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever done.”
The amount of money raised by Dance Marathon has increased significantly since the inaugural Marathon at the College in 2007 that raised $21,000. Dance marathons across the nation raised more than $6 million last year, according to the Children’s Miracle Network Web page.
The Children’s Miracle Network distinguishes itself from other children’s charities by donating 100 percent of proceeds to help local children in need. Dance Marathon is just one of the many ways the organization raises money. IHOP has become a sponsor for the Children’s Miracle Network by celebrating National Pancake Day. They offered free pancakes to guests, but asked that they make a donation for the nonprofit,  on Feb. 23 of this year.
C of C students who want to get involved in future Marathons can start by joining the morale team to assist in planning. For more information visit the event Web page at www.dancemarathon.clubs.cofc.edu.