Dance Marathon to raise $225,000 for children’s hospital

Saturday, February 22, 2020 Dance Marathon to raise $225,000 for children’s hospital

Taking place on Saturday, February 29 in the Nebraska Union Centennial Room and sporting a safari theme, the University of Nebraska Dance Marathon – better known as HuskerThon – is part of a nationwide fundraiser to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. UNL’s local hospital is the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha. The event is the culmination of hundreds of contributions on behalf of student volunteers, committee staff, sponsors, and participants.   

 Here’s how UNL’s Dance Marathon breaks down, by the numbers:

12 hours of continuous dancing. 

Participants stay on their feet for a full twelve hours, “dancing for those who can’t,” as the Children’s Miracle Network’s mission statement says. This year’s HuskerThon takes place from Noon to Midnight on February 29 with DJs continuously pumping out music, including a rave hour.

1,400 dancers. 

Huskers from student clubs & organizations, greek houses, residence halls, and other campus communities fill the Centennial Room wall-to-wall, ready to be on their feet for a fun-filled night. Also, thirty of Dance Marathon’s Miracle Children and their families will be present to join in on the fun.  

It’s not too late to be a dancer – the registration form is open until HuskerThon kicks off on February 29. After paying a $25 registration fee and meeting the fundraising minimum of $100, you’ll be dancing the hours away in no time.  

$142,000 raised so far;  $83,000 left to be raised.

The 2020 fundraising goal is set at $225,000, which is a 10% increase from last year’s total amount of $203,265.19. The end goal for Dance Marathon is always helping as many families as possible. By keeping donations within the community, DM ensures all funds assist local children. This year, money will go toward building two fetal care nesting rooms and a fetal care center, as well as an NICU staff lounge at the Omaha Children’s Hospital.

160 volunteers to run the event. 

People from all over the Lincoln community give their time to the Dance Marathon cause to ensure the event is a success. 

999+ hours to prepare for Dance Marathon 2020.

HuskerThon’s student-led executive committee works year-round to ensure a successful event each spring. In the lead-up to the final event, the team has put on the Mr. UNDM pageant, raffles, and more. This year, the committee contributed hundreds of hours to meetings and outside work as well. 

Immeasurable: the positive impacts spread through Dance Marathon. 

Huskers are doing more than just raising a few dollars. All donations together support an unlimited number of future children. This incredible event is something you’ll remember for years to come, and the giant impact of HuskerThon will raise awareness and help fund state-of-the-art facilities for struggling children and their families. With all this good happening in the community, it’s impossible to measure the full impact Dance Marathon has for its Miracle Children and participants.  

Get in on the action!  Register now to participate.

Follow Dance Marathon on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.


Kirsten Wandrey  |  Student Affairs

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