DANCE MARATHON BREAKS FUNDRAISING RECORD YET AGAIN

BRAYDEN CARLSON, TRUMPET STAFF WRITER

It was time for students to lace up dancing shoes, boogie till they dropped – and to raise the biggest amount of funds for the kids. 

 During the Big Event on Sunday, April 2, Dance Marathon participants brought in $176,365.15. This is $18,243.02 more than the previous year. It has now topped $1 million in its 14 years. 

The mission of Wartburg College Dance Marathon is to support, promote, and celebrate the lives of the children at the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City through year-long fundraising and social activities.  

Wartburg College Dance Marathon supports families and children who are battling pediatric illnesses and injuries. 

Bailey Brown, a fourth-year business administration major, is the co-executive director of Dance Marathon.  

“Dance Marathon is a way to be a part of something bigger than yourself,” said Brown. “It allows students to get engaged with other students on campus, our community, and more. It is a great movement to be a part of. We are changing kids’ health day by day with the funds we raise.   

Brown would like students on campus to know that this event doesn’t just come together in a week. It is a year-long major project. 

The Big Event lasts for 12 hours with food, games, activities, Miracle Family Stories, and dancing. 

“WCDM is for the kids,” said Brown. “Each dancer is required to raise a minimum of $150 to attend the Big Event. However, Wartburg students frequently reach the minimum and raise hundreds and thousands more.”  

In 2018, Children’s Miracle Network ranked Wartburg College Dance Marathon as No. 7 in the nation for the amount raised per capita. 

Another Wartburg student involved with the preparation and set-up of this Big Event is third-year Jenna Bachus, a sociology and psychology double major. 

It is no surprise that the week before Dance Marathon would be hectic, but Bachus says it wouldn’t be possible without everyone that is involved.  

“Prep is a crazy time. Everyone is helping each other put everything together. Planning starts in the fall and as we get closer to the Big Event, execution is done,” said Bachus. 

Bachus would like students to know why they should get involved with future events.  

“It is amazing and a great opportunity to meet new people and easily fundraise for an amazing cause,” said Bachus. “Students should attend Dance Marathon because it is a fun celebration of our year-long fundraising efforts and encourages students to keep fundraising to accomplish our fundraising goals.”