Dance Marathon

Before the Nov. 27 kick-off of Dance Marathon, hundreds of students congregate near the north ramp of Assembly Hall. Some opted for naps to conserve energy before the 36—hour event.

Participating in the mid-morning limbo contest, sophomore Kim Gibson takes part in one of the many activities organized by the IU Dance Marathon Council to keep dancers awake and motivated. Gibson won the contest.

Makin

by Hollie Schaefer

Monty Howell

Happon ce Marathon raises unprecedented d ati n for Riley

D

uring his battle with AIDS, Ryan White, a hemophiliac victim of an HIV-positive contaminated blood transfusion, was treated at Riley Hospital for Children in downtown Indianapolis the only hospital in Indiana dedicated exclusively to the care of youth. The excellence of his treatment resulting from high standards of care earned Riley an honorable reputation. To support Riley for the fifth consecutive year, Dance Marathon raised money to be donated. Not only did the Dance Marathon Council and participating students raise

Monty Howell an unprecedented amount of money, but the Oct. 27-29 event garnered more support from student participants than ever before.

As the only entirely student-run organization funding Riley Hospital, the IUDMC prepared all year for the 36-hour weekend during which 500 students danced to fulfill pledges they acquired. To show their support and keep the dancers motivated, several families of children at Riley intermittently came to the IU Fieldhouse during the weekend to support participants. IU continued

Monty Howell the Marathon was successful. "[It was] a bigger success this year because the dancers' motivation was incredible," she said. "Their inspiration came from the Riley families. There were 15 Riley families there, more than we have ever had before!" The Marathon not only improved in terms of the number of families that came to support the event, but also in student support. For example, IUDMC registered almost 600 dancers, but due to fire codes in the Fieldhouse, it had to put dancers on a waiting list. This unprecedented student excitement attracted attention from around the country. Executive directors of organizations similar to IUDMC from Ohio State, University of Tennessee, University of Georgia, University of Oklahoma, University of Oregon, Miami University and Bowling Green State University came to observe the weekend. But the most measurable success of the weekend was the increase in the amount of money the student dancers raised. At final count, the dancers collected $140,072.46, topping the previous year's donations by almost $50,000. Dancers agreed the children were their motivation for collecting so much money and for enduring the length of the weekend. Junior dancer Leslee Hewlett said, "Seeing all the kids walking around right in front of us while we were dancing really reinforced the reason we were there." Marketing chairperson senior Sarah Linck said, "Dance Marathon was the chance to get involved in something on campus where you could see you were helping people, especially the kids who came to the Marathon." Children and their families were not the only support the dancers received during the weekend. Since the public was allowed to visit throughout the Marathon, the visitors section of the Fieldhouse was always filled with friends supporting the dancers. Friends brought dancers presents to keep them entertained and busy. To keep dancers

Opposite page: Sophomore Kelly Underwood clowns with a friend as Marathon participants line up to enter the Fieldhouse. The Fieldhouse held the 500 dancers who took part in Dance Marathon.

Monty Howell An IU student takes part in an impromptu game with a patient from Riley Hospital for Children Saturday afternoon. Children from the hospital visited the dancers sporadically throughout the two-day event.

from falling asleep, the Morale Committee, dressed in bright yellow shirts, planned activities, massages and line dancing to help pass the time. No watches were allowed, so as not to divert participants. The Marketing Committee also created a new addition to the weekend to help keep dancers awake and motivated. It offered a silent auction during which dancers, IUDMC committee members and visitors could bid on items donated from the community. A variety of prizes, including an autographed Damon Bailey jersey and a mountain bike donated from Bloomington Schwinn helped raise $1,000. To bring about success, preparation began in January 1995. IUDMC created 12 committees, each dealing with a different facet of the weekend: entertainment, communications, morale, fund raising, marketing, reception, dancer relations, public relations, Riley development, alumni, catering and event management. Chairpersons and directors put hours into planning, but said they had no regrets. They said they loved watching the visiting children run through the Fieldhouse smiling. For example, junior Chrissy Ryan, public relations chairperson, said she was inspired by the children. "Nine months of work was completely worth it to see a child laugh and smile," she said. "It was a great feeling." At the end of the weekend, parents and children of Riley Hospital took a moment to express their gratitude to all Dance Marathon participants and members of the Council. Many tears were shed, but even more smiles were exchanged as all realized the enormous amount of money that had been raised. Rodger summarized what she believed to be at the heart of the weekend. "Dance Marathon taught me, through the unselfish gifts of others, how precious life is," she said. "The Riley families bring back the importance of life." LI