UGA Miracle, the largest student-run philanthropy at the University of Georgia, hosted the 29th annual Dance Marathon on Feb. 24 and 25 in the Tate Grand Hall to raise money and awareness for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Despite the deaths of two students that the Athens community faced that week, Dance Marathon was still held as a way to promote fellowship and support one another, UGA Miracle said in an Instagram post. This year’s theme was “Make It Count,” after UGA Miracle executive director Tess Abraham’s motto.
The theme was created to help motivate and inspire each UGA Miracle member to embrace everything the year has to offer, UGA Miracle said in an Instagram post. There are Miracle families and members who count on the year-long fundraising but also on UGA Miracle’s positivity and dedication to champion each child daily.
“Our executive director always says ‘don’t count the days, make the days count,’” said Allie Hengler, UGA Miracle Communications Director. “And that’s kind of the inspiration behind [the name].”
By the end of the event, the initiative had raised $1,075,281.24 was raised, a culmination of the year's efforts. To help raise money during the event, students were able to promote their fundraising pages on social media and create and participate in incentives, like a hair chop challenge, to encourage donations.
The donations from UGA Miracle will directly fund Rehab Services and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, said the Dance Marathon handbook.
Dance Marathon kicked off at 12 p.m. with the opening ceremonies where the Miracle families and executive members were introduced. For the next 25 hours, a variety of events ensued, ranging from color group games, hospital and theme hours, fundraising pushes and more.
Color groups are a way UGA Miracle helps build community for each member, as well as organize the event efficiently. The seven color groups were created based on the various UGA organizations and committees participating and helping Miracle children and their families during the event.
“We’ll do color group matchups for fundraising pushes so there’s friendly competition between everybody,” said Hengler. “They’re a great way in general just to organize people…but really they are just used to boost morale.”
Leading up to and during Dance Marathon, the groups participate in challenges and games to receive points towards a prize to encourage competition. The color group fashion show were able to show off UGA Miracle merchandise and other costumes. The winning group, blue, won the color group trophy for the most points. The trophy was decorated with the team’s colors.
One aspect of Dance Marathon is hospital hours, an opportunity for members attending Dance Marathon to learn about Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and connect with members of the hospital.
“We do that by creating events for staff to come here [and] teach students about what they do, as well as bringing our students to the hospital through patient parties and tours,” said Julian Bolanos, junior microbiology student and hospital relations board member.
There were four theme hours based on this year’s Dance Marathon theme “Make it Count.”Theme Hours are a “classic” part of Dance Marathon where attendees will dress out to match the themes: pajamas, decades, superhero and game day.
Throughout the year leading up to Dance Marathon, UGA Miracle hosts a variety of fundraising pushes that help incentivize donations and meet their goal of raising $1 million for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The opportunities also help the UGA community become more involved in the cause.
UGA Miracle’s first fundraising push this year was the first annual “Zero to Hero,” which Hengler said helped educate UGA members about Miracle and the impact of the event.
“It was superhero themed because these kids are our heroes,” said Hengler. “They serve as our inspiration daily for all that we do.”
Dance Marathon was the last fundraising push to meet the goal this year.
UGA Miracle has not only made a difference for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, but it has also helped many students find community within a large university.
“I came into Georgia and didn’t really know exactly where I would find my place,” said sophomore public relations major and UGA Miracle Phi Mu team captain Nallee Mobley. “But as soon as I visited Miracle and came to Dance Marathon last year, I was obsessed with it from then on out.”
