Elon's largest student fundraiser returns this weekend as organizers hope to raise tens of thousands of dollars to help sick children and their families.
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Hundreds of Elon University students will take part this weekend in the ELONTHON 2012 dance marathon to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network and Duke Children’s Hospital.
Starting Friday evening at 6 p.m. in Alumni Gym on the Elon University campus, ELONTHON will feature hours of dancing, music, games and activities to benefit the hospital. Throughout the event, participants also will hear from patients and their families who have been treated at Duke.
Students collect pledges from family and friends before standing/dancing for shifts of several hours. Some participants choose to take part for the full 24 hours to show solidarity for patients in Duke Children’s Hospital.
Organizers expect to raise at least $75,000 for the cause. The 10th annual event ends at 6 p.m. Saturday evening when a final dollar amount will be announced.
“It’s the largest student fundraiser here and such a special part of Elon,” said university senior Christiana “Christie” Quinn, publicity chair for ELONTHON. “No other event like this happens where everyone comes together for one good cause. It affects fellow students and it affects the community.”
About Dance Marathon
The first Dance Marathon for charity began in 1973 at Penn State University when students planned an event to raise money for Hershey Medical Center. A few years later, in 1977, the idea caught on at Indiana University where a fundraiser benefited Riley Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network. Since then, Dance Marathon has become a popular fundraising event at more than 150 high schools and universities across the country, all benefiting their local Children’s Miracle Network hospital.
About Children’s Miracle Network
Children’s Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals. Donations to Children’s Miracle Network fund medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of 17 million children each year.