Three Florida Universities Raise Over $1 Million in One Day

Earlier this week, Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs at the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of Central Florida each hosted one-day fundraising campaigns on their respective campuses to create excitement and motivate their dancers to fundraise in support of their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

In total, students at the three universities raised a collective $1,012,176.02 within 26.2 hours or less.

University of Florida – Transform Today:

Dance Marathon at the University of Florida hosted their fourth annual Transform Today fundraising campaign with the goal of engaging their campus and raising $500,000 in 26.2-hours for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. After raising over $422,500 during Transform Today in 2016, as a part of the $2.7 million raised by the end of their year in March, DM at UF had their sites set on an even larger goal this year.

 

DM at UF was present all over the University of Florida campus and Gainesville, Fl. community from Tuesday morning at 8:00am until 10:12am on Wednesday. Students were performing the line dance on campus, selling merchandise, collecting donations in buckets, and visiting local restaurants for fundraising hospitality nights. They also had Miracle kids on campus throughout the day to motivate and encourage students to keep fundraising.

 

At 5:00pm on Tuesday, they hosted a Celebration of Miracles Banding Ceremony, where dancers who had raised over $1,000 at this point in the year could come and receive a blue hospital band to wear on their wrist from now until the Dance Marathon in March. These bands symbolize the bands that children receiving treatment in the hospital wear and are meant to remind students of the struggles the kids endure.

The Celebration of Miracles banding ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. at the Plaza of the Americas. Our Miracle Children will be banding those who have raised $1,000 or more For The Kids. Come out to show your support and celebrate with our Miracle Families! ?

A post shared by Dance Marathon at UF (@dmatuf) on Nov 14, 2017 at 1:28pm PST

Throughout the day, dancers were encouraged to fundraise by sending out the link to their online fundraising page for family and friends to ask for donations. DM at UF posted updates on their social media channels to show their progress toward their $500,000 goal.

We are so thankful for everyone who participated in #TransformToday yesterday but it’s not over yet! We have about ONE HOUR left to meet our goal, so let’s continue fundraising and #RedefineTomorrow.

A post shared by Dance Marathon at UF (@dmatuf) on Nov 15, 2017 at 6:00am PST

On Tuesday evening, a group of students participated in Miracles at Midnight, which involved them running 26.2 miles around UF’s campus. They had collected wishes that dancers had written down, describing their wishes for the kids at the hospital, that they would be delivering to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital at the end of their run.

 

By the end of the 26.2 hours, over 1,850 dancers had received donations online with dancers raising an average of over $250.00 each. The dancers hard work was evident in the fact that, on average, dancers received 6 donations, with a number of dancers receiving over 20 unique donations throughout the day.

In total, Dance Marathon at the University of Florida crushed their goal, raising $540,424 in just 26.2 hours, breaking the international Miracle Network Dance Marathon record for largest amount raised in a single-day fundraising campaign.

 

To support Dance Marathon at the University of Florida in their fundraising efforts for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital prior to their Dance Marathon event on March 24, click here.

 

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Florida State University – Florida Statement:

Between 9:00am on Tuesday, Oct. 14 and 11:12am on Wednesday, Oct. 15, Dance Marathon at Florida State University set out to make a bold statement by raising $262,000 in 26.2 hours for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and FSU College of Medicine Pediatric Outreach Program.

 

Throughout the day, students were present on campus to collect donations and participate in fun activities that got everyone on campus excited for the day. They set up a “Hype Room” that included a fundraising recognition wall, fundraising templates and tools, and student leaders who could help dancers with their fundraising efforts. The famous gong, which students get to ring for every $100 they raise at their Dance Marathon event, was out on campus for students to celebrate their fundraising progress throughout the day. DM at FSU also partnered with several local restaurants to host Share-It Nights, with the restaurants donating a portion of proceeds from the evening.

DM at FSU also partnered with Homecoming, which was occurring simultaneously during the week, who helped promote their campaign and reach the entire FSU campus.

Find us all over campus today and tomorrow as we make our #FloridaStatement! Join us for canning, fun activities and check-ins at each event. We will be canning all throughout campus, namely Westcott, Landis, the stadium, and the Integration Statue. Make sure to wear your General check-in shirt! Also, don't miss out on our share-it night hosted at participating restaurants off Magnolia Drive. It's #UpToUs to make miracles today and tomorrow as we fundraise $262,000 in 26.2 hours!

A post shared by Dance Marathon at FSU (@dmfsu) on Nov 14, 2017 at 6:30am PST

DM at FSU hosted a Comma Club Ceremony on campus on Tuesday evening to recognize dancers who had reached the $1,000 milestone in their fundraising. Dancers received a Comma Club t-shirt that they’ll be able to wear at the Dance Marathon in February.

 

Students embraced the DM at FSU campaign “Up To Us” and took on the individual responsibility to raise as much as they could For The Kids during the day of Florida Statement, with 1,150 dancers fundraising online and raising an average of $230.00.

In total, DM at FSU raised $302,535.34 in 26.2 hours!

 

To support Dance Marathon at Florida State University in their fundraising efforts for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and FSU College of Medicine Pediatric Outreach Program prior to their Dance Marathon event on March 2, click here.

 

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Knight-Thon at University of Central Florida – Charge on Challenge:

Knight-Thon took on the charge to raise $136,000 in 24 hours for the 136,000 children that are treated at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Fl. every year.

The Charge On Challenge began on Monday evening with an Opening Ceremony, that included a Miracle story, fundraising tips, and the announcement of their 24-hour fundraising goal.

 

On Tuesday morning, dancers were issued a challenge from some of their Miracle kids, Carson, Kendall, and Cooper, who were reporting from the NICU at their local hospital. In the video below, they challenged Knight-Thon to consider how many NICU incubators, the same ones that Carson and Kendall lived in for the first few months of their lives, they could buy with their 24-hour fundraising total.

 

Dancers were challenged to fundraise throughout the day and were incentivized by the opportunity to have any donation of $100.00 or more matched by Marriott Vacations Worldwide during a matching hour. Dancers could also earn triple points for their team for every dollar they raised, which would be added to their overall point totals toward for the Miracle Cup competition that Knight-Thon hosts each year.

On campus, students could purchase scratch-off cards for $1.00, $3.00 or $5.00 for the chance to win prizes like Knight-Thon merchandise and incentives to use at their Dance Marathon event in the spring, such as passes to be able to shower or sit down during the event.

For the first time ever, we are releasing Knight-Thon Incentive Scratch Offs! Come to the Incentive table on the Student Union Patio and purchase a $1, $3, or a $5 scratch off which include awesome incentives for the event! Good luck!

A post shared by Knight-Thon (@knightthonucf) on Nov 14, 2017 at 7:32am PST

 

Knight-Thon also hosted activities on campus including a dunk tank, an opportunity to donate to pie someone in the face, a jail where dancers had to fundraise their “bail,” and a booth where students could purchase Knight-Thon merchandise.

At the end of the 24 hours, Knight-Thon surpassed their fundraising goal by raising $169,216.68 for their local hospital. Over 1,050 students took part in the Charge on Challenge by participating in online fundraising, raising an average of almost $150.00 each.

 

To support Knight-Thon in their fundraising efforts for Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children before their Dance Marathon event on April 7, click here.

 

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Miracle Network Dance Marathon is an international movement, involving students at over 300 colleges and universities across North America that fundraise for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Students work to raise funds and awareness throughout the year with their efforts culminating in an 8-40 hour Dance Marathon event. Since its inception in 1991, Miracle Network Dance Marathon has raised more than $200 million–ensuring that no child or family fights pediatric illness or injury alone.

Learn more about Miracle Network Dance Marathon:

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