Soonerthon at the at the University of Oklahoma Receives 2020 Community Engagement Award
Soonerthon at the University of Oklahoma was awarded the Community Engagement award at Dance Marathon Leadership Conference 2020. The Community Engagement award recognizes the Dance Marathon organization that executed a successful initiative, event or campaign to reach a new demographic in the campus or local community. This past year, Soonerthon co-programmed with several organizations and events on campus.
The first event was called Music and Miracles, which was co-programmed with two other organizations on campus, University Sing, an organization that facilitates Broadway-style student-led performances, and Fall Family Weekend, an organization that programs and facilitates different activities for OU’s annual fall parents’ weekend. This event took place on Fall Family weekend and consisted of several University Sing shows, food trucks, and an average of around 481 guests present throughout the day. At University Sing’s final performances, they allowed Soonerthon to set up a table outside of the auditorium to collect donations that reflect the audience members’ favorite show. This allowed Soonerthon to share their cause with a new demographic.
Another new partnership was made with Speakers Bureau, an organization that works to bring speakers to campus in order to share unique and meaningful messages with the OU community and beyond. The event with Speakers Bureau consisted of 1,456 tickets sold to see Rainn Wilson, from popular television series The Office, speak on campus. Soonerthon marketed this event on all social media platforms. All of the proceeds from ticket sales went directly to Soonerthon and resulted in a profit of over $20,000.
By continuing to collaborate with different organizations on campus, Soonerthon will continue to bring more people together, all For The Kids.
Miracle Network Dance Marathon is an international movement, involving over 400 colleges, universities and K-12 schools across North America that fundraise for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since its inception in 1991, Miracle Network Dance Marathon has raised more than $300 million–ensuring that no child or family fights pediatric illness or injury alone.
Learn more about Miracle Network Dance Marathon: