Overview: Dance Marathon at SDSU
The event is one of the 400-plus Dance Marathon programs across the country. Current SDSU students and many alumni are a part of the more than $400 million raised for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1991.
College students sometimes get a bad rap for focusing too much on partying.
But what if they’re partying for a good cause?
That will be the case this Saturday at San Diego State University as students come together during a 15-hour dance marathon to raise money for area children and families receiving life-saving care at Rady Children’s Hospital.
The event is part of a year-long fundraising and awareness movement focused on helping others. It is also one of the 400-plus dance marathon programs across the country.
Current SDSU students and many alumni are a part of the more than $400 million raised for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1991.
“This is the 12th year of Dance Marathon at SDSU,” said Grace Johnson, president of Dance Marathon at SDSU.
“Over the past 12 years, Dance Marathon at SDSU has raised $2.6 million. Dance Marathon was started in November of 2014 by a group of students. They were able to host their first event in March 2015. Within those 43 days, they raised $40,000.”
When it comes to organizing the dance marathon and other such fundraising events at SDSU, a thousand-plus students register to lend their efforts to the cause.
“Our executive board consists of around 45 members, and our extended executive board, also known as our morale team, consists of about 50 members,” Johnson said. “These 90 students are the mastermind behind our main event.”
Their roles consist of planning events, tracking budget, stewardship, recruitment, marketing, merchandise, and many others, she added.
“Our organization is able to pull in students from all majors. From future teachers to politicians, to physicians. Students are rooted in the idea of ‘one generation fighting for the next.'”
Johnson added that it takes a lot of communication and planning from the standpoint of the school. “We have to get approvals for tabling, our events, fundraisers, etc.”
The public is also welcome to get involved and become part of a good cause.
“Donations are one of the ways the public can get involved with this event,” Johnson said. “The best way to donate is through our Donor Drive.”
As Johnson sees it, the most satisfying part of this event is a variety of people putting time and effort into something that will help others, especially children.
“There is something powerful about college students coming together for a cause greater than themselves, choosing to dedicate time and energy to children’s health,” Johnson said.
