Dance Marathon 2015 is Kicking Off

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By Marrissa Ballard | Staff Writer

Each year Salve hosts a Dance Marathon to benefit children at Hasbro Hospital. This year’s Dance Marathon will occur in March, but students are already getting excited.

The event consists of 18 hours of dancing and activity, from 6 pm to noon the next day. This year it will take place Saturday, March 21^st and Sunday, the 22^nd.

The funds are raised both physically and online. Last year the event raised around 7,000 dollars, which was allocated to the Izzy Foundation. Hasbro used the funds to create a new room in the hospital, called the Izzy Room, for families and children. The room includes a kitchen and laundry room and resembles a small apartment. Families whose children are staying in the hospital for a long time will use the room as a place to stay.  The room is also used as a sanctuary, where families can get away from the hospital room.

Gina Tonini, Dancer Relations Coordinator for the Dance Marathon, visited the hospital and saw the Izzy Room. Gina loved the experience because she got to see exactly where the money had gone. “You directly saw that we helped finish the project,” Tonini said. 100% of the funds raised will go directly to Hasbro.

The Dance Marathon e-board also visits children at the hospital and meets their families. They plan to visit in December this year.

Each year the event aims to raise $10,000. The children and families from Hasbro will also come to the event and participate in activities. Miss Rhode Island also usually attends because she is a cancer survivor. Hasbro also usually sends the Hasbro Kid of the Year.

Though 18 hours sounds like a long time to be standing, Tonini stressed that dancing is not required. Throughout the night Tonini will teach the participants a dance, which they perform for the families and children the next day. That one dance is the only dancing that is required the entire time. “You don’t have to be a dancer to come to the event,” Tonini stated.

Instead of dancing, participants can play games or do activities, which change each hour with a theme. For example, one hour might have a 90’s theme, so 90’s music will play and new activities will be available.

This year however, the committee has also chosen to have an overall theme of Superheroes in addition to the 18 rotating themes, which was featured at the Kick-Off event on Thursday, November 13.

Though the students should plan on being their feet for the full 18 hours, they can also choose to pay five dollars to sit down in the “dancer jail,” according to Tonini.

Students can also choose to fundraise and not attend the actual event. They can give through a donation website or simply fundraise for their friends who are participating. Students can also choose to fundraise as a team.

Throughout the night students will interact with everyone there. There are also opportunities to win raffles or receive free items. Food is provided throughout the night by sponsors like Domino’s and Panera Bread. “You get free food, free stuff, and it’s a good time,” Tonini said.

Melissa Janco, a student on the Publicity Committee, advises students to register as soon as possible. “The earlier you register, the easier it will be to fundraise,” Janco said. To register, students can use the link provided on the Salve Dance Marathon Facebook page, or register physically at tables in Miley or O’Hare.

Janco and Tonini also provided a list of things that students should plan on bringing with them to the event, including several pairs of comfortable shoes, water, money, and a bag props or costume pieces for the different themes throughout the night. Students will also receive t-shirts and other free things.

“You’re standing on your feet for 18 hours, but kids have cancer for their entire lives” Tonini said. “It’s the least we can do to help. I’m really happy to be a part of it.”

If you’d like to be a part of the Dance Marathon this year, you can register here.