On April 18, Pam Evans Smith Arena will be packed from noon to midnight with music, dancing and activities in an event called “Dance Marathon.”
Dance Marathon is a student-run philanthropy by colleges and high schools nationwide to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, an international non-profit fundraising organization for hospitals, medical research and community awareness of children’s health issues. This year, Wittenberg students will try their hand at the event for the first time, calling the event “TigerThon.”
Students at Indiana University founded Dance Marathon in 1991 in memory of Ryan White, a fellow student who died after an extended illness.
Dayton Children’s Hospital will be represented at TigerThon at the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. 100 percent of the funds raised throughout this semester will go towards Dayton Children’s Hospital’s ability to care for its patients.
Ohio State University recently raised over $1 million in their dance marathon campaign. Although Wittenberg’s community is far smaller than OSU’s, TigerThon leaders have expressed excitement for Witt’s fundraising ability.
“We are trying to make as big of an impact as we can, and I think we are doing a fantastic job,” said TigerThon Vice President Kaitlin LaPlant, ’17. “Our Chipotle fundraiser was a huge success – we raised over $1,000 for the kids.”
The physical Dance Marathon itself is a celebration of all the fundraising efforts given throughout the semester. TigerThon will represent four families who currently have children receiving treatment at Dayton Children’s Hospital. These families will be at Pam Evans Smith Arena to join the Wittenberg Community in celebration of all the children have accomplished, and all the money raised for the patients at Dayton Children’s Hospital.
“TigerThon seeks to touch the lives of as many children and their families as possible through fundraising, support and love,” LaPlant said.
