State A Thon at South Dakota State University Receives 2023 Merchandise Award

Miracle Network Dance Marathon recognized top performing Dance Marathon programs at the Dance Marathon Leadership Conference (DMLC) held in St. Louis, MO from August 3-6.

The theme for South Dakota State University – State A Thon 2023 was “Boot Scootin’ Miracles” to highlight and recognize the unique student population of the University that is largely represented by agriculture and environmental science majors. In 2023, State A Thon strategically utilized merchandise to help participants feel connected to the cause and to enhance their recruitment efforts – resulting in a 20% increase of registered participants.  

Once the theme “Boot Scootin’ Miracles” was announced, the program started by selling buttons to promote the theme. Then closer to the event they launched fundraising level incentives that were aimed at motivating participants to reach the next fundraising milestone. The incentives aligned with their theme and if participants raised $500, they earned a blue handkerchief, those who raised $750 earned a light-up blue cowboy hat, and comma club t-shirts that matched the theme were given to those who raised $1,000 or more. To design their event t-shirt, they opened up a t-shirt design contest and the selected design came from a participant of the program.  

At the marathon, they wanted to ensure that the experiences they created were unique and kept participants excited to participate in the upcoming year. Each year the program gives out awards at the end of the day to recognize things such as top fundraiser, best dressed, best attitude, etc. In previous years these winners received paper awards but to add a special element this year aligning with their theme they gave each award winner a homemade blue cowbell. Cowbells play a big part in the university history and tradition, and their hope is that these cowbells will remain keepsakes to remind individuals of the experiences they had through State A Thon.  

Each piece of merchandise created by the program this year was done with intention and helped to create conversations about State A Thon across campus. Congratulations, South Dakota State University! 

Miracle Network Dance Marathon is an international movement, involving over 400 colleges, universities and K-12 schools across the United States and Canada that fundraise for their local member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. These students work tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds one dollar at a time by making the ask to family and friends. Their hard work culminates in a celebration on campus or virtually, where participants can rally together as a community for their local member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Students involved in Dance Marathon gain valuable skills in fundraising, peer management, delegation, and philanthropy. Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs have collectively raised more than $350 million since 1991.