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After 10 years of supporting the Palmetto Health Children's Hospital through the Children's Miracle Network, Carolina's popular Dance Marathon still has all the right moves.
Last year, more than 600 students danced the night away to the tune of $101,000 for the children's hospital. This year, more than 700 students are expected to participate in Dance Marathon Feb. 22-23 at the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center, and the goal is $125,000. To help reach that goal, Dance Marathon organizers are seeking support from faculty, staff, alumni, and the community.
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| Michael Williams |
"Our goal is unifying our campus for one great cause," said Michael Williams, a senior advertising major from Goose Creek who is the external director for Dance Marathon. "We're all part of this larger Carolina community here in Columbia, and you never know when you might need the Children's Hospital. It's great to give back to something in your own backyard."
A cocktail reception for alumni who participated in Dance Marathon from the start will be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Courtyard Marriott. For more information or to register, go to Dance Marathon's home page at uscdm.org.
Dance Marathon started about 30 years ago at Penn State University and has since spread to 80 college and university campuses across the country. Since it began, the national program has raised more than $30 million for children's health care.
The Children's Miracle Network, which supports research and provides specialized equipment for children's medical facilities, is Dance Marathon's national sponsor, but all money raised locally stays in the local community.
To raise money, students form teams--the Greek community and student organizations are big supporters--or students can dance individually. After paying a $10 registration fee, each person pledges to raise $150 from friends or family. Organizers or Dance Marathon help students reach their goals.
"We help them fund raise by sending out letters to their friends and family all over the country. We do a Carolina Card donation station, which is on campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday at the Russell House," Williams said. "We also do silent auction events and events at the Colonial Center. Every penny we collect is one more penny toward our goal."
Organizers will make a final push for donations during Blitz Week, which will have a Mardi Gras theme, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 18-22 on Greene Street in front of the Russell House. Donations also are accepted online at uscdm.org.
Then the dancing begins, and participants are on their feet for a full 24 hours.
One highlight of the University's 10th anniversary as a Dance Marathon sponsor will be the dedication of a new six-story, freestanding Palmetto Health Children's Hospital at the Richland campus of Palmetto Health in the spring. When complete, the facility will be the largest children's hospital in South Carolina.
Also, the Children's Miracle Network will recognize the University for its contributions to Dance Marathon during its annual telethon in March at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
But the most deserving of recognition are the children that Dance Marathon helps, Williams said.
"Our theme is 'For the Kids' or FTK. That's our biggest motivator. Everything we do is for the kids," he said. "We volunteer at the hospital. We bring miracle families to Dance Marathon to tell their stories about how they've been impacted positively by the children's hospital. It's a great cause, knowing that we're helping all those kids and knowing that the new hospital is going to be there for years to come."
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