Dance Marathon raises donation goal for upcoming event

From left: Lizzie Litt, ’18, Miracle Child Coco, and Alex Stephanou, ’15 dance during the Morale Dance at Lehigh’s second Dance Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. The Morale Dance was performed every hour, and each hour a new minute was taught to attendees. (Chris Barry/B&W Photo)

Lehigh students are preparing to break out their dancing shoes for the third annual Dance Marathon on Oct. 24, which raises money and awareness for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The dance marathon movement was brought to Lehigh two years ago with its debut of an eight-hour marathon. As the event has grown in supporters and popularity, the executive board is looking to reach a 10-hour mark and make it an even bigger event.

Since the Lehigh Dance Marathon is a relatively new event for the university, the team will look to the successes of other dance marathons that have been held nationally with tremendous fundraising outcomes. For example, Penn State’s THON marathons for 46 hours and raised $13,026,653.23 in 2015.

Dance Marathon was brought to Lehigh to unite students and raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Students and their supporters  exceeded expectations by raising a total of $54,243.37 last year.

After surpassing the team’s personal goals last year, they decided to set a goal of $75,000 this year. There is now a fundraising minimum of $1 in order to participate in the event, and the requirement was put in place to reach this new goal.

“We hope to reach and even exceed our goal, and with the support of the entire Lehigh community I know we can do it,” said Marlena Boesch, ’18, morale chair of Dance Marathon.

The Student Senate and Association of Student Alumni host an hour at Lehigh’s second Dance Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. Some of the events during the hour included a fight song competition between sections of the room. (Chris Barry/B&W Photo)

Dance Marathon is not the only fundraising event the team has hosted in support of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, but it is a culmination of various fundraising events. As soon as Dance Marathon ends, fundraising for the next year begins. Fundraisers have been held at Panera Bread, The Cup and Menchies. A 5K run was also organized, and the Goose will be kept open late twice before the event.

Dance Marathon is being promoted throughout campus with the promise of a special pizza party to the team that raises the most money. Members encourage all students to create a team and start raising money, regardless of their affiliations with Greek life, athletics or various clubs.

“We stand for the kids that can’t,” said Alli Rubin, ’18, public relations chair of Dance Marathon. “It’s all about making them be kids and be who they are, even in difficult circumstances.”

At the event, participants are asked to stand for the duration of the marathon in honor of children who are not able to do the same. Morale dancers are stationed on stage throughout the evening to dance and teach a special dances to participants. Volunteers can sign up to be a morale dancer or simply attend for the various games and speakers that will be a part of the night. Participation in the Dance Marathon club is not necessary to go to the event. It is open to all members and supporters who wish to participate.

According to the event’s website, morale dancers will keep dancers energized, create morale songs, teach dances and organize events to boost morale.

A Connection to the Cause segment will also be integrated into the Dance Marathon, bringing meaning and a connection to the children the event supports. Three Miracle Kids are already signed up to come to the event and share their stories.

During Connection to the Cause, the kids will talk about their treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, how it has affected them, and the way Dance Marathon has provided them with the resources to receive these treatments.

“All the kids are at the event, and you get to hear how Dance Marathon really helps them,” Rubin said. “That’s the best part, seeing FTK, everything’s for the kids.”