IUDM participants aimed to raise $300,000 for this year's Day of Hope, which would equal one dollar for every child who is treated at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health annually. The group started at 8 a.m. and raised $481,652.23 by midnight.
The last donation came in at 11:59 p.m. This Day of Hope broke the national dance marathon record for the most money raised in a single day for any charity, senior Kaitlyn Beck, media relations co-chair, said in a press release.
Some gathered in Franklin Hall, where they renamed President's Hall the "hype room” for the day. Music streamed through the speakers as students worked on their laptops, chatted with friends and monitored the amount of money raised so far.
While some stayed inside, others positioned themselves in front of BuffaLouie’s, Mother Bear’s and other places on and off campus to “can” for money. “Canning” is when members stand along the street and collect donations in red Riley cansfrom passersby.
Junior Isaac Peasley took creative measures to get donations. Peasley, along with the help of Riley patient Marlee Davenport, duct-taped himself to the Sample Gates to draw attention and raise money. Others have been reaching out on social media and making bets similar to Peasley if they meet their personal donation goals.
As midnight neared, all of the students gathered at the Sample Gates to see the reveal of total donations collected. As the digits were raised one by one, the crowd erupted with “FTK", for the kids, chants.
The 36-hour dance marathon will be Nov. 10 through Nov. 12 at the IU Tennis Center, where students will continue to raise money for Riley Hospital for Children.
Christine Stephenson
