St. Luke Student Ministry Wins 2023 Best New K-12 Dance Marathon

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.

St. Luke Student Ministry, a partner school of Auburn University Dance Marathon, is this year’s K-12 winner of Best New Dance Marathon! St. Luke Student Ministry Mini Dance Marathon is a mini marathon in Columbus, Georgia that was open to students in the community in grades six through twelve. The executive board of the program was run by high-school level students with support from their collegiate partner program and program advisors.  

With about two months between the original idea to host a Dance Marathon and their event date, the program surpassed all expectations to raise $46,433.23 and register over 140 participants. During this two-month period, they planned their Dance Marathon event, connected with the Auburn and greater Columbus area, hosted benefit events and garnered over $6,000 worth of corporate partnerships.  

At their event, they provided participants with the opportunity to participate in a variety of events including a dodgeball tournament, silent disco, games, guest speakers and fundraising pushes. Capitalizing on event attendance they raised over $18,000 on their event date alone. St. Luke Student Ministry demonstrated outstanding success in fundraising, community engagement, recruitment and event planning for a first-year program. Congratulations, St. Luke Student Ministry! 

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.