Thousands of men, women and children across the country reunited together for the annual Dance Marathon this weekend at the Donald L. Tucker Civic center Feb. 26-28.
Dance Marathon is organized by students to raise money for sick children at Shand’s Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network. During this event more than 800 students and volunteers stay awake on their feet for 20 hours straight, in two 40-hour shifts, to symbolize the hardship and struggle of sick children everywhere.
Membership captain Sarah Dorn expressed the importance of the occasion.
“This takes over a year to plan; it’s amazing to see it all come together. There are different events to keep everyone up and the core and executive members are sleep deprived but they stay awake and dance just for the kids,” Dorn said.
Jamie McMillan, volunteer for Dance Marathon, touched base with why this project is important to her.
“It is important to volunteer my time at Dance Marathon because donating my time is equally as important as any monetary donations I’ve made,” McMillan said.
For the past couple of years, Dance Marathon at Florida State University has raised at least $6.4 million for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and the FSU College of Medicine.
Core member Morgan Maxwell spoke highly about the Dance Marathon members and how hard they worked for this moment.
"The dancers have really stepped up this year and have accomplished so much. I believe that, they deserve to celebrate all the miracles they have made in their year-long movement. That’s what Dance Marathon is all about,” Maxwell said.
Dancers, volunteers and local community members were inspired by local performing artists, student groups, sponsored theme hour activities and by meeting local Miracle families who have been directly affected.
In addition to supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, 50 percent of their efforts support the FSU College of Medicine Pediatric Outreach programs. These programs include helping the school-based programs in Gadsden County.
To learn more about Dance Marathon or becoming a volunteer, visit http://dmfsu.org