Dance Marathon, the event touted in flyers, profile pictures and T-shirts, brings together a large percentage of the University's population every February. The University's philanthropic event raises money for the University's Children's Hospital and Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center. Money is also raised for research grants and scholarships for nurses' continuing education.
Secretary Chair Jackie Bechara estimated that 100 to 200 registered dancers attended the event Saturday, in addition to a couple hundred families and students who bought tickets at the door. By 11 p.m., the group had surpassed its goal and raised more than $50,000.
Many of the volunteer dancers have participated in the event for several years.
Third-year College student Meredith Loretta has worked with Dance Marathon since her first year at the University. She started as a 24-hour dancer, worked on the executive committee as public relations chair, and this year she filled the role of overall chair.
"I've learned to appreciate my blessings over the past three years ... I've seen how much good our organization does for the children treated there," Loretta said. "There's a sense of humility that goes along with serving theses kids."
Loretta also talked about the change in the length of the marathon - which usually runs for 24 hours - this year.
"We decided to have a 13-hour marathon to celebrate our 13th year at U.Va.," Loretta explained.
Bechara, like Loretta, started her dance marathon career as a 24-hour dancer her first year. Bechara enjoyed the dancing, but added that she appreciated the cause for which she was working.
"It's not often that you get to see the results of your efforts in a local setting, rather than in the hands of a large, national organization, so I think the fact that our proceeds go entirely to U.Va. Children's [Hospital] is really something remarkable," Bechara said.
Other contracted independent organizations expressed their support for Dance Marathon's cause, Bechara said. "We're also really excited about the development and involvement of a new organization on grounds - the Coalition Against Cancer, which is comprised of Camp Kesem, Hoos for a Cure, St. Baldrick's, Relay for Life, APO and Up 'Til Dawn," she said. "Their excitement about and presence at the marathon really cemented our relationship with other CIOs dedicated to causes similar to ours."\nWhile receiving support from the University community, Bechara also danced to the tune of an a capella group to mix up the routine. Third-year Commerce student Jonathan Ohmart, a member of the the Academical Village People, said Dance Marathon was a rare event in which the excitement of the crowd actually matched that of the jubilant a capella group.
"We were thrilled to be able to entertain those present, make them laugh while we serenaded audience members, and dance with them during 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love!'," Ohmart said. "As a group that loves to go crazy while we perform, we can't often say that those we perform to match our energy. Those participating in Dance Marathon, however, really did and it was great to see such energy applied to this purpose."
The dancers paraded to the Corner, making the event more accessible to students, Loretta said. Although the marathon changed venues this year, many of the traditions remained. The marathon incorporated choreographed dances every hour to boost morale, as well as "family hours" during which children and families from the Charlottesville community participated in carnival-like activities, Loretta said.
Still, Bechara said she thought Dance Marathon could engage the community in other ways in future years.
"I think that we would like to get as many kids and families from the community involved as possible," she said. "We would also love to dedicate some more of our time at the marathon to hearing from doctors, nurses and families who have stayed at the hospital."
As long as those involved with Dance Marathon keep up the energy Ohmart witnessed Saturday, the event likely will continue to succeed for a long time.
"From the moment I walked in ... I was struck by the enthusiasm of the people and the general atmosphere in the room," Ohmart said. "The dancing really showed the unity of the group and served as a reminder of why they were all there"
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