Putting the fun in fundraising

By Nikolas Burts

Last November, Hofstra University students organized and took part in a Miracle Network Dance Marathon at their school to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. More than 400 universities and colleges across the United States and Canada take part in such marathons. Last year’s event was rodeo-themed, with games such as cornhole and relay races. Hofstra has participated in the Miracle Network Dance Marathon campaign for the past six years, raising tens of thousands of dollars for children and families in need.

Dancing for a Change

The Hofstra University Fitness Center was filled with hundreds of college students last Nov. 5, all dancing and swaying to the music to raise thousands of dollars for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, of which there are 170 across the United States and Canada.

Dance Marathon takes place each fall semester at Hofstra, with proceeds going to Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens. The goal is to keep participants on their feet for five straight hours to raise money.

Last year, attendees ranged from athletes, club members, fraternity brothers, sorority sisters and members of Danceworks, the university’s largest performance club for contemporary, jazz and hip-hop dance. More than 300 students took part last fall. With the help of donors, the marathon raised $11,700.80 last fall, bringing the university’s total to $78,000 collected since the first Miracle Network marathon at Hofstra on Nov. 13, 2017.

Working with CMN allows students to donate through their clubs and organizations, giving them the chance to win prizes while raising funds. The money raised covers children’s medical costs and supports research into diseases to find cures

Dancing for a Purpose

Hofstra senior Sadie Ostad, a member of Alpha Phi and Danceworks, served as executive director of this year’s marathon. For her, the event meant a lot, as she first- got involved in Miracle Network Dance Marathons through the Miss America Organization, competing as a contestant in Connecticut. “Children’s Miracle Network is Miss America’s national platform, so I attended several dance marathons,” she said. “It was actually the first event I went to as a local title holder. When I came to Hofstra and heard they had the event, I wanted to get involved right away.”

As executive director, Ostad was in contact with the Miracle Network for months to arrange the date, time, event theme and sponsorships, all while holding down an internship and practicing her dancing. This year, the event was rodeo themed. Participants danced to “Cotton-eyed Joe” and other country tunes and took part in relay races in corn sacks, among other activities. “My favorite part is being able to give back to the children and families in need,” Ostad said. “Plus, it’s amazing to do this around so many people who are also passionate about this cause.”

Hofstra sophomore Savannah Cameron was also an organizer of the event. Cameron said she got involved in the marathon because an organization similar to the Miracle Network had helped her family in the past. “My older sister, Alivia, had a heart condition and was treated for it at Boston Children’s Hospital,” she said. “Without funding of programs like Dance Marathon, I didn’t know if my family would have been able to afford the operations that saved my sister’s life.”