MU dance marathon goes online to aid Riley Hospital for Children
Manchester University students invited the neighbors to come over and dance for a good cause, but COVID-19 waltzed in and shut it down. Instead of giving up, the students took it online.
Where Dreams Come True Dance Marathon to benefit Riley Hospital for Children was supposed to be Friday, April 17 on campus, but now it is on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mu.dancemarathon/.
“Our goal is $8,000, and every penny we raise goes directly to the hospital,” said senior Erin Brock, co-president of the event with junior Kaitlyn Cook.
To donate, go to https://link.manchester.edu/dance. Click the “Donate” button to give in the name of a participant or directly to the Riley Children’s Foundation.
T-shirts are also available at https://secure.touchnet.net/C23277_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=408&SINGLESTORE=true. Those who get them are encouraged to tag their posts with #MUDMFTK (Manchester University Dance Marathon For The Kids).
“Many of us have family and friends who are or have been patients at Riley’s. We have loved ones who have fought for their life because of illness, so we dance to celebrate them and their strength while raising money and awareness to support those who are saving their lives,” Brock said. “We dance for those who can’t.”
The dance marathon is a natural for Manchester, and it is a perfect fit for its mission: to graduate “persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.”
As of midday on Monday, April 27, more than $5,300 had been raised, including $500 from Manchester President Dave McFadden.
“During the first week of April, we had what was called "Miracle Week," where every day was dedicated to a certain cause or awareness efforts. In that week, we challenged President Dave to match the fundraising done by students and he agreed to match the first $500 raised,” Brock said. “Lucky for us, students, faculty, and staff managed to pull together over $1,400 dollars within that week, well exceeding President Dave's challenge! Therefore, by the end of the week, we had collected just over $1,900 from the community.”
For the media
Erin Brock, senior from Germantown, Ohio,
EEBrock2021@manchester.edu Samantha Alley, MU director of student involvement and leadership development,
saalley@manchester.edu or 260-9825029
Riley Children’s Foundation supports Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities and the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. Learn more at www.rileykids.org.
Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., provides vibrant and transformative student experiences. Learn more at www.manchester.edu/about-manchester
Our mission
Manchester University respects the infinite worth of every individual and graduates persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.
April 2020