This coming weekend, a group of University students will be spending 24 hours in Memorial Gymnasium, and they will be paying to do it. The time has come again for the annual tradition known as Dance Marathon. Call them crazy, but talk to any one of them and they will tell you it's worth every minute. A word of caution: Their excitement is dangerously contagious.
Dance Marathon started as a project of the 1998-1999 First Year Council. That first year, DM was held in the Student Activities Building and raised $8,000 for the University Children's Hospital. DM still donates all proceeds to the Children's Hospital, but it has ballooned in size. The term "Dance Marathon" itself has become somewhat of a misnomer, as the event has really turned into a day-long party with games, live performances, free beverages and, of course, dancing.
While Dance Marathon is now the single largest student-run charity organization at the University, most people know little about what goes on behind the scenes. Planning and fundraising for DM 2k5 began almost as soon as weary-but-elated DMers stumbled out of Mem Gym after DM 2k4.
University alumna and former DM Executive Committee member Laura Cortina has seen the organization grow from its humble roots.
"I showed up at a fundraising meeting and I stuffed 300 envelopes," Cortina said, recalling her first memory of DM. A few years later, she chaired the Fundraising committee herself.
Former DM Overall Chair Courtney Cherry said she also found herself sucked into DM. As she tells it, she got involved "on a whim," simply because her friends at other universities were involved with their respective Dance Marathon organizations.
"We were a very self-contained organization," Cherry said. Now, it has "become an institution at U.Va., ingrained in the fabric of student life."
Indeed, due to the sheer scope of its activities, Dance Marathon has become an increasingly diverse profile of the University community. The organization is run by 17 executive committee members and 10 sub-committees, bringing in talent from around the University. Committees specialize in logistics, finance, outreach, and even video and Internet technology.
"Dance marathon is unique in that it crosses all the boundaries at U.Va.," current DM Overall Chair Courtney Cox said.
Dance Marathon has also seen increasing participation from students in the Greek system, as 2004 was the first year that DM actively pursued involvement from that community. This year, DM's registration records show that most fraternities and sororities will be sending dancers. This is in sharp contrast to the early days of DM, when "Greek involvement was virtually nonexistent," according to Cherry.
Outside the University, Dance Marathon has garnered increasing exposure both within the greater Charlottesville community and around the nation. Local Charlottesville businesses have contributed generously to the cause. Just this last weekend, the Biltmore helped raise almost $1,000 at DM Bar Night.
Dance Marathon members also work hard to gain the support of large international corporations. Booz Allen Hamilton, Walmart, BMG Music and Apple Computer are all sponsoring DM 2k5. Apple Computer will even provide iPods that will be given away at the event. Altogether, corporate contributions have accounted for $100,000 in donations already, even before the event has started.
The work of the organization is not easy, however.
"Dance Marathon is a hard concept to sell," Cherry admitted.
In the days leading up to DM 2k5, Cox said she, too, is finding life difficult.
"This week is totally insane," she said. "I can't go to sleep at night. I turn off the lights and think of all the things I have to do and get up again. Twenty-four hours is turning into 96 hours."
Members said that all the high points, however, more than make up for the stresses. Just "go to the NICU [Neonatal Intensive Care Unit] and see where your money is going," Cortina said. There are always pleasant surprises right around the corner, as well. Cortina recalled that during her second year, DM received an anonymous $50,000 donation while the organization was still in its infancy.
But the only thing on the minds of DMers now is the upcoming event. This year's theme is "DM Does Vegas," and DM will be hosting a poker tournament through the night. Along with the usual live performances by dance troupes and a capella groups, DM will also be featuring recording artist Dave Barnes. The event is open to everyone starting at 9 p.m. Friday.
To this year's DMers, ex-Chair Cherry had just two words to say: "Have fun."
Meng Tan is Alumni Relations Chair for Dance Marathon.
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