By Krista Wynes
GCU News Bureau
Throwback tunes and face paint filled Antelope Gym on Saturday afternoon for Grand Canyon University’s first Dance Marathon, which raised money for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
The marathon is part of a movement by college and high school students to benefit the 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in the United States and Canada. PCH is one of those facilities.
Students and community supporters gathered for an afternoon of dancing, minute-to-win-it games, free food and raffle prizes. Organizers benefited from the leadership, teamwork and non-profit business experience they got over the last year.
GCU Dance Marathon founder Abby Myers said she was first introduced to the idea through friends at Indiana University, which boasts a 36-hour marathon that has raised more than $32 million since 1991. The sophomore transfer student felt inspired to bring the idea to GCU even though she’s in only her first year at the University.
“It was encouraging to see students at GCU come together for a cause greater than themselves and in the end raise thousands of dollars for kids and families at Phoenix Children’s Hospital,” she said.
The GCU marathon has raised $4,836.28 since Dec. 20, and online fundraising will stay open until April 15. There were more than 125 dancers throughout the day, and several GCU Clubs were in attendance: 12 members of Love Your Melon, a club that works to benefit pediatric cancer patients, and about 30 members of the Hip Hop Club who performed for the crowd and participated in individual fundraisers.
Amy Hoff, Special Events Coordinator for Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, was on hand for the event and said: “Seeing GCU students from all different walks of life come together to support our kiddos was truly remarkable. It was a dedicated group of students who stuck it out all six hours. Success of an event doesn’t happen overnight, so we are incredibly grateful for the sponsors, students and staff who took the risk and invested their resources.”
