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]] Over 30 years ago, the dance marathon started as a simple dance competition on the campus of Penn State University. Today over 80 schools host dance marathons across the country raising more than $12 million per year benefiting local children's hospitals and other charities. On almost every campus where it is held, the dance marathon is the largest student-run philanthropy. In describing the events today, "dance marathon" is a bit of a misnomer because the events are no longer focused on the dancing of the students. For 15-48 hours (depending on the event), the "dancers" stand on their feet to show support for the families and children of the event's charity and to generate awareness about the cause. HISTORY In 1973, the Interfraternity Council (IFC) at Penn State University decided to hold its very first Dance Marathon. Penn State’s first marathon, which lasted thirty hours, was a competition in which dancers competed to raise the most money and dance the most hours. On Friday, February 2nd at 6:00PM in the HUB ballroom, Penn State’s inaugural Marathon began to the tune of "Jumping Jack Flash." Thirty-nine couples each paid $10 for a chance to win a $300 grand prize. The first Penn State Dance Marathon donated more than $2,000 to the Butler County Association of Retarded Citizens. By 1977, Dance Marathon at Penn State lost its competitive edge, set a 48-hour length and became an annual benefit for The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center. Today, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, affectionately dubbed "THON," raises more than $4 million annually. Due to the success of Dance Marathon at both Penn State University and Indiana University, Children's Miracle Network (CMN) developed its own Dance Marathon program to emulate the events at other university campuses. In 1995, the first year of the program, four schools raised a total of $142,000 for children treated at CMN affiliated hospitals. Six more schools were added to the program the following year, raising $300,000. In 1997, eighteen schools held Dance Marathons and generated more than $600,000. Currently there are dozens of schools participating in the CMN Dance Marathon program, incorporating tens of thousands of students on campuses of all sizes. UNIVERSITY DANCE MARATHONS Planning While the typical Dance Marathon culminates in a one- or two-day event, Dance Marathon is a student-run organization that works year-round to put the main event together. In addition to planning for the event itself, Dance Marathon participants spend the year preceding the event fundraising, planning events for families and their children and building general community awareness. Dance Marathon at The University of Georgia is the largest student-run philanthropy in the Southeast. It has raised more than 1 million dollars since it was founded at the University. An executive board of 22 members begin planning in March each year, and the marathon is held at the campus gymnasium in February of the following year. The Marathon at UGA is 24 hours, and students are encouraged to raise $175 as participants. More than 1,000 participants sign up annually, and committees have hundreds of members. To raise money, the University of Georgia hosts several events. A 5k is held in the fall, and a Tour of Homes is held along the Sorority and Fraternity rows during the holidays. A dodgeball tournament is popular among students, as is a benefit concert which changes artist from year to year. Also, participants can earn money toward their total by canning in downtown Athens, volunteering at campus events and participating in a letter writing campaign. The Greek community is the main supporter of this campus philanthropy, but students from all areas of campus participate. Event The Dance Marathon event varies in length from 12 to 48 hours. Generally, students will stand on their feet for the entire time without sleeping. They are entertained by music, student performing groups, bands and other student volunteers. Most Dance Marathons also have a signature line dance (also called a morale dance). The line dance is generally created for that year's event and provides a needed source of energy for students while dancing throughout the night. In addition, most Dance Marathons have an emotional "family hour" close to the end of the event. During this time, representatives from the charity benefited by the event as well as families and children receiving support from the charity thank the students and volunteers for their efforts throughout the year. Across the Country According to the Children's Miracle Network, over 80 Dance Marathons take place on college campuses across the country. HIGH AND MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE MARATHONS High School and Middle school students also hold marathon dances across the country. The events are similar in their purpose and structure, in relation to the dances at universities. Many of these take place in conjunction with local University Dance Marathons. The most fiscally successful High-School Marathon Dance in the nation is the South High Marathon Dance (SHMD), which has raised over $1.6 Million since 1978 for local causes. (see link below) The longest running is the Brockport High Dance marathon, which has taken place since 1974. |
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