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WIU Dance Marathon organizers began a 30-day social media challenge Wednesday, Jan. 13, to promote the event on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. The dance team winning the challenge will get a 10-minute "sit" pass for the team during the 12-hour dance marathon.
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Dance Marathon Feb. 13

January 14, 2016

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MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University students have been working hard for the past 11 months to plan the third annual 12-hour Dance Marathon, scheduled from noon-midnight Saturday, Feb. 13 in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

The yearlong fundraising campaign raises money and awareness for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis. The fundraising culminates with an event requiring participants to dance for 12 hours to signify a typical shift of doctors and nurses, as well as to show support for children who are unable to stand.

The goal for this year's event is $70,000. The 2014 event raised $22,000 and the 2015 event raised $53,000.

The money raised is divided between St. Louis Children's Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center. If a child from Macomb were to get sick, he or she would likely receive medical care from one of the two hospitals.

Currently there are 198 participants registered to participate in this year's Dance Marathon and nearly $15,000 has been raised. This year's event will also include a time period, 3-5 p.m., for community members to come in to dance and raise money.

A variety of events have been held throughout the past 12 months, including a pancake breakfast at the Macomb American Legion in November.

Event organizers began a 30-day social media challenge Wednesday, Jan. 13, to promote the event on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. The dance team winning the challenge will get a 10-minute "sit" pass for the team during the 12-hour dance marathon.

Additionally, a bowling event will be held from 10 p.m.-midnight Thursday, Feb. 11 at Digger's College City Bowl in Macomb for a $10 participation fee. Buffalo Wild Wings is offering 10 percent of its sales to the marathon through March 1 with a participation card, and Chubby's will host a fundraiser for the event Monday, Feb. 1.

To register for this year's Dance Marathon, visit tinyurl.com/wiudm16. Questions about the event can be directed to University Dance Marathon Advisors Ashley Katz at AE-Katz@wiu.edu or Nicholas Katz at NB-Katz@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing