Students raise money 'for the kids'
Hundreds of USC students and faculty will not sit or sleep for 24 hours this weekend in order to celebrate an ongoing fundraising effort benefitting more than 80,000 children in South Carolina.
USC’s 15th Annual Dance Marathon, held tonight at the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center at 7 p.m., is the largest student-run philanthropy event on campus. Dancers participate in 24 consecutive hours of dancing without rest to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at the Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. Dancers who raise at least $150 learn a line dance throughout the event. Games, contests and live performances will take place, and miracle families will come to share their personal stories.
Student organizations and individuals can join to form teams and compete for the Miracle Cup. There are four team colors — green, black, red and purple — and points are awarded based on participation and money raised.
More than $160,000 was raised for the Children’s Miracle Netwonrk at the Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital in 2011, with approximately 600 student dancers in last year’s event.
Dance Marathon also hosts events year-round that involve the Columbia community as a whole, such as the Mini-Marathon. The Mini-Marathon is a six-hour dance event to benefit the Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital held at local high schools.
External Director for the USC Dance Marathon, Lauren Nottoli, said that there are many ways to support the event.
“We encourage everyone to come out and support the dancers who will be going nonstop for 24 hours,” Nottoli said. “People can also make donations via our website.”
To donate, go to www.uscdm.org and click on the “Donate/Register” button. Donations can go to the general event or be made on behalf of a participant.