Click Here to
Register for
Dance Marathon TODAY!
Become a dancer before February 9th and collect your dancer t-shirt!
* Participant T-shirts are not guaranteed to dancers who register after February 9th
Help USCDM make care packages for the families at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital!
Drop off your donations to the Dance Marathon office located in the West Wing of the Russell House by February 17th, 2012
Hospital Donation Items.pdf
Special Thanks to USC Dance Marathon's own Morale Team for a successful Blitz Week and a great event at CJ's!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support Dance Marathon!
FOR THE KIDS!
For the first time ever USC's Dance Marathon is sponsoring a local high school to have their own Mini-Marathon. The students and faculty of Cardinal Newman High School will host their 6-hour
Mini-Marathon on
February 11, 2012.
Interested in becomming a USCDM Volunteer?
Click here to learn about becomming a Dancer Volunteer
Sign up for shifts available on February 24th from 10am-4pm to help us set up for the event!
If you’re interested in volunteering for set up, please email Spencer Martin at sodmv_mailbox.sc.edu.
Dance Marathon at the University of South Carolina (USCDM) is the largest student-run philanthropy in the state of South Carolina. It is an annual 24-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping event held in February. The 2012 event will be held Friday-Saturday February 24th-25th starting at 7pm in The Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center.
It celebrates the culmination of efforts to raise financial and emotional support for the patients of Children's Miracle Network at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, located in Columbia, SC. It is the largest freestanding children's hospital in the state, serving over 80,000 children throughout South Carolina.
Learn how you can you can be a part of this exhilarating event by volunteering, dancing, sponsoring, leading or donating today!
Remember everything we do is, FOR THE KIDS!
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Stay Informed
Countdown to Dance Marathon! : Spring 2012
Happy New Year from Dance Marathon!
The spring semester is always crunch time for Dance Marathon. With the main event being only five weeks away, the executive board and morale team are working hard to make sure this years event is a great sucess! Here is a description of our upcoming events...
Cardinal Newman High School Mini Marathon: February 11, 2012
For the first time ever, USC's Dance Marathon announces their first high-school run mini-marathon - all efforts going towards Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. On February 11th, Cardinal Newman students will dance for 6 hours non-stop FOR THE KIDS! These high school students are truly inspiring as they have been working tirelessly on their upcoming event!
Morale Blitz Week : January 16th-20th, 2012
Congratulations to USCDM's Morale team for making their Blitz Week a phenomenal success! Raising over $1,000 For the Kids!
This Blitz week is run by Dance Marathon's own morale team. In an effort to increase participation, morale is hosting three events throughout the course of the week.
Tuesday, January 17th Dance Marathon is hosting a percent night at Mellow Mushroom in the Vista. From 4pm-10pm, when customers mention "USCDM" 10% of their purchase will go towards our fundraising efforts.
Wednesday January 18th - Morale will be at tables on Greene Street, collecting donations and promoting for the event. Wednesday evening there will be a Dance Marathon interest meeting for students who are interested in getting involved, joining a team and tips on how to fundraise. The meeting will be held at 7pm in Calcott Rm. 011
Thursday January 19th Dance Marathon is hosting an event at CJ's in Five Points from 11pm-close. There will be a cover charge of $3 and popcorn for purchase of $1. The money raised at the door and popcorn sales will go toward Dance Marathon's final total. Cj's is located next to Starbucks and you must be 18+ to enter.
A Successful Semester! : Fall 2011
This fall semester has been incredibly successful for Dance Marathon. From personal fundraising, recruitment presentations and events, this year is on very solid ground with the main event less than 3 months away! So far, the executive board, morale team and participating student organization teams has raised over $7,000 for Palmetto Health Children's Hospital and we're not even close to stopping!
FT5K: November 2011
Dance Marathon's most recent event was the FT5K. Our second annual 5K walk/run was in conjunction with The University of South Carolina Homecoming. It was held on Sunday as the first main event of Homecoming with over 300 runners/walkers, which was double the amount of participation as our first year. Dance Marathon raised over $5,000 which will be added to our cumulative total and revealed at the main event in Februrary.
Dance Marathon was also represented in the University of South Carolina Homecoming Parade. We invited a miracle family from Palmetto Health Children's Hospital and together memebers of the board, morale team and the family walked in the parade to show pride for our University!
Dance Marathon's Morale Dance Team was very involved in our events with Homecoming this year. Along with walking in the parade, Morale performed a 5-minute dance from last years Dance Marathon at the Homecoming event, Spurs and Struts. Their dance was a huge success and a great publicity stunt for our organization.
PICU Dinner and Hospital Activities: October 2011
Each month this semester, Dance Marathon has visited Palmetto Health Children's Hospital to visit with the children. Doing activities and spending time with the kids keeps us connected to the cause and reminds us of what we're working towards. We are very lucky that the hospital is so willing to work with us and being able to visit the kids keeps our minds focused on the goal.
Another way that we work with the hospital is by sponsoring PICU dinners for the families of kids who are required to stay overnight in intensive care for treatment. Many families do not like to leave the hospital and spend night after night in their child's room providing emotional support during their stay. By bringing a potluck of food to the community rooms at the hospital for the families assures them that they won't have to leave their child to eat and gives us an opportunity to reach out to those families who need our help.
..
Student Organization Fair : September 2011
Every year, The University of South Carolina hosts a student organization fair that is held on the main street of campus, outside the Russell House Student Union. There are countless amounts of organizations on campus and being able to mingle with the student body and represent Dance Marathon and the Palmetto Health Children's Hospital was a critical opportunity to gain support from our peers. Along with the student organization fair, Dance Marathon also hosted an interest meeting for those who stopped by our table and were interested in our cause.
Executive Board Retreat : September 2011
At the beginning of the semester, the executive board of Dance Marathon spent a day at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital on a brainstorming retreat. Upon arrival, the board was split up into groups to get a tour of the facility led by the hospital staff. The highlight of the tour was the Surgery Center which is connected to the main hospital, though you would never think so walking through the halls. The funds raised by Dance Marathon this year will go directly toward the Surgery Center to ensure it maintains and recieves all the necessary equipment to keep it running and the kids treated. Followed by the tour was a few team building activities led by our student and staff advisors, a speech from our hospital liasion, Mims Goza and a speech from one of the hospitals most renowned surgeons, Juan Camps.
Not only did the board spend time learning about the hospital and each other, but they also dissected Dance Marathon as a student organization. A SWOT management analysis was done and a full scale brainstorming session took place for ways to improve the image of Dance Marathon on South Carolina's campus. Colleen White, overall student director this year also highlighted the importance of the culture of the executive board throughout the retreat as well. To be successful as an event, it is most important that everyone on the board brings the same energy to the cause and always remember, its For The Kids!
LETTER FROM THE OVERALL DIRECTOR:
Dear Dance Marathon Alumni Family & Friends,
Looking toward the 14th Annual Dance Marathon at the University of South Carolina, I see a new exhilarating, optimistic and passionate group of leaders ready to bring love and hope to the kids of Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. With this vision, we have established USC Dance Marathon's official slogan: For Love, For Hope, For The Kids. In keeping with this defined vision to positively impact the children and Carolina community, USCDM 2011 has prepared itself for the best year of Dance Marathon yet!
We have been working hard planning not only the big event in February, but also our annual ft5k, which kicks off homecoming week this year at USC on November 6th, and our 2nd annual community gala. We are also proud to announce that we have partnered with Cardinal Newman High School this year to hold the first ever USCDM mini marathon, on February 11, 2012. Our board is a passionate group of people who are working hard to improve USCDM on campus and in the Columbia community. We are also looking for advise, feedback, and encouragement so please dont hesitate to contact us with any ideas!
We see USCDM as a chance to give ourselves to those who need it most; not to be rewarded or recognized, but because we are lucky enough to have the ability to do what others cannot. We see USCDM as a chance to realize that no matter the odds, positive change can be made through effort and like-minded thinking. We see USCDM as a chance to give love and hope for the kids! It is with these visualizations that we strongly believe that taking what some may see as a step backwards, to us is a step forward in the right direction for USCDM.
I encourage you all to take this opportunity to be a part of this great momentum. If you are interested in continuing your USCDM support as an alumni please email us at sodm_mailbox.sc.edu. Our alumni relations director, Ashley Cohen-Burnell is working hard to improve our alumni database, and create exciting and fun events for you to participate in as an alumni group.
I hope you will join us on February 24-25th in Columbia to celebrate the successes to come for DM 2012. Thank you for your continued support.
For Love, For Hope, For the Kids,
Colleen M. White
Overall Director 2011
STAY INFORMED
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Advertise in our Memory Book given to every volunteer and participant as a keepsake of the event. 1/8 - Fuill Page ad sizes available: Fill out the Memory Book Ad Form or email our Dancer Relations Chair: uscdmdancerrelations_sc.edu
Get the benefits you or your company deserve by taking advantage of our sponsorship opportunities and benefits! Download or 2011 Sponsorship Packet or Contact our
Sponsorship Coordinator: uscdmsponsorship_sc.edu
Over the past 12 years, the students of Dance Marathon (DM) at the University of South Carolina have raised more than $900,000 and over $147,000 dollars in 2010 alone! While we rely in large part on individual donations, corporate and local sponsors are essential in the overall success of Dance Marathon. Many companies and individuals decide to help our cause through monetary donations, while others feel they can better help DM through an in-kind donation. We appreciate any contribution that you can make out of your goodwill. Your donation not only is appreciated by the 1,135 student dancers who participate every year in dance marathon but also impacts the over 80,000 child-patients treated at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. All monetary donations are tax-deductible.
Many opportunities exist to get you or your company's name out to the over 1,000 student dancers and volunteers: advertise in our memory book given to each participant, collect ink cartridges and cell phones to be recycled, buy a care package or USCDM official merchandise for any volunteer or participant, or hold a fundraising event.
We look forward to the opportunity to partner with your organization to share our sponsorship benefits and opportunities with you!
For more information contact Adriana Garcia, Sponsorship Coordinator, uscdmsponsorship_sc.edu
Dear Friends & Family of USCDM ,
As you've heard, University of South Carolina's Dance Marathon is a 24-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping, student-run philanthropic event to raise money for Childrens Miracle Network at Palmetto Health Childrens Hospital in Columbia, SC. Over the past 12 years, USCDM has raised nearly $1 million for our local Children's Hospital benefiting over the 80,000 child patients in South Carolina. Over 1,100 students, 50 university faculty and staff, 4,000 donors and 30 student organizations get involved with Children's Miracle Network through the University of South Carolina Dance Marathon program, every year.
Your dancer has chosen to participate in this wonderful experience either as a member of the Leadership Board, Morale Team, a Liaison, a Volunteer, or a Dancer. On this site, you will find how you can help! Your efforts and support are essential to helping your dancer and the marathon succeed! For questions or more information, please e-mail our Dancer Relations Coordinator at uscdmdancerrelations_sc.edu
Hope to see you at the marathon on February 24-25th, 2012!
For the Kids,
Overall Director
P.S. I have enclosed a quick FAQ guide. Hope it helps!
FRIENDS & FAMILY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is Dance Marathon? Am I allowed to visit?
-USCDM 2012, will take place between 7pm and 7pm (EST) on February 24-25th, 2012 in the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center. Visiting hours are throughout the entire event; each visitor must notify their dancer prior to event so they can be placed on the guest list.
Can I send an encouraging letter to my dancer?
-Of course! Dancers receive mail throughout the event. To write to your student, complete the following form , attach your handwritten or typed personalized letter and send your clearly addressed envelope to your Dancer, to:
USC Dance Marathon
1400 Greene Street
RHUU Suite 115
Columbia, SC 29208
Will the dancers' belongings be safe? Where will they be kept?
-All dancers will receive a dancer number which is associated with their fundraising account and belongings the day-of. All dancer belongings will be kept in a room separate from the dance celebration and continually monitored by Security personnel, our Venue Relations Coordinator and USC Police Department.
What if my dancer is injured during the event?
-The Emergency Support Team will be contacted immediately if necessary and each student will be cared for promptly and effectively. A First Aid Kit is available at the check-in table as well as at the center of the event on the dance floor, and ice can be obtained from the Athletic Trainer. All dancers (and parents of dancers who are under 18 years of age) are required to sign a liability waiver releasing DM from all responsibilities in the case of injury.
What happens if my dancer does not raise $150 for CMN?
-Currently, all dancers are required to set their own fundraising goals of $150 or higher and strive to meet them. Your dancer will be notified of numerous fundraising opportunities throughout the year to help them reach their $150 fundraising total. Friends and Family of dancers have shown to be the biggest support system for dancers in reaching their fundraising goal. Encourage your dancer to fill out a friends and family form or to use the online fundraising tools on their fundraising page.
What will the dancers do for food?
-All dancers are provided with 3 full meals, 3 snacks, and smaller snacks available throughout the event. Water is also continually available, and dancers are allowed to bring their own snack foods if so desired. If your dancer has special dietary needs, notify our Dancer Relations Coordinator, uscdmdancerrelations_sc.edu . Care packages with essential nutritional foods and snacks are available for purchase bye filling out this form .
Can my dancer miss some of the event?
-While all dancers are strongly encouraged to commit to the full 24-hours, DM is not a lock-in. To arrive late, miss a portion, or leave early from Dance Marathon, a dancer must notify both his or her morale captain and our Dancer Relations Coordinator, uscdmdancerrelations_sc.edu at least one week prior to the event.
What is the Dancer Care Package Program?
-The Dancer Care Package Program allows you to send a physical reminder of your support to a dancer in the form of a care-package. It is one of the most successful activities we have to energize our dancers throughout the event. In addition to nutritional snacks and beverages, the care package includes fun souvenirs and gift items that your dancer can cherish throughout the event. All the proceeds from care package sales will support USCDM and Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. All packages will be delivered to the dancers throughout the main event on February 24th-25th, 2012. To purchase a care package, click here .
My company may be interested in making a donation (monetary, or food items), how can they do so?
-If you think your company would be interested in making any sort of donation to DM, please contact our Sponsorship Coordinator at uscdmsponsorship_sc.edu.
Still have questions? Contact our Dancer Relations Coordinator, uscdmdancerrelations_sc.edu
All files and links below are provided for your convenience and ease of use.
BoardofDirectorsApplication2012[1].pdf
History of Dance Marathon.pdf
Brochure.pdf
LetterWritingForm.doc
LetterWritingTemplate.docx
OrgDMFlyer.pdf
General Info.doc
MiracleCupBrochure.pdf
Points Policy Handout.pdf
MemoryBookOrderForm2011.pdf
MerchandiseOrderForm2011-1.pdf
Care_Package_Order_Form2011.pdf
FINAL2011sponsorpacket.pdf
sponsor-e-commitment form.pdf
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2012 Overall Team Contact List
Overall Director- Colleen White uscdm_sc.edu
External Director- Lauren Nottoli, sodmr_sc.edu
Internal Director- Chloe Greene, uscdminternal_sc.edu
Community Events- sodmmm_mailbox.sc.edu
University Events- uscdmprogramming_sc.edu
PR Coordinator, Graphic Design, Media RElations, and Social Media- uscdmpr_sc.edu
Recruitement - uscdmrecruitment_sc.edu
Dancer Relations- uscdmdancerrelations_sc.edu
Head Morale and Morale Coordinator- uscdm-morale_sc.edu
Hospital Relations- uscdminternal_sc.edu
Internal Events- uscdminternalevents_sc.edu
Catering- uscdmcatering_sc.edu
Venue Relations- uscdminternal_sc.edu
Corportate Relations- uscdmsponsorship_sc.edu
Letter Writing -- uscdmletters_sc.edu
Internal Finance- uscdm_sc.edu
Alumni Relations- uscdmalumni_sc.edu
Executive Team Contact List
Contact Form
Participate
Fundraise
Volunteer
Dance Marathon fosters the opportunity for individuals and student-organizations to form a team and participate in a color war and miracle cup competition.
Each dancer is required to raise $150 to become a dancer. The event is open to all students, faculty and staff at the University of South Carolina.
Click Here and register today to dance for miracles, schedule a hospital tour or request a recruitment presentation.
Become a Volunteer Dancer!
Sign up for a 6 hour shift:
3 hours of volunteering
3 hours of dancing
Along with a $7 registration fee for a t-shirt, we ask each volunteer dancer to set a fundraising goal of at least $30.00.
Thank you for your interest.
This event couldn't happen without you!
It's all FOR THE KIDS!
Students and campus organizations can organize their own fundraising events or participate in the yearlong fundraising competitions and events to dance or sponsor an individual to dance at the marathon.
The more money you raise, the more dancers you can have. Be creative in your fundraising intiatives, do it FOR THE KIDS!
For any fundraising questions or ideas, contact our Dancer Relations Coordintor, uscdmdancerrelations_sc.edu
INSTRUCTIONS: Be sure to include your full name in the "Name" field and "New Registrant" in the Subject line. In the "Message" field include your current phone number, mailing addresses and if you are an alumni, parent, donor, or other. If you are updating your information please follow the same procedures above and put "Updated Info in the Subject line.Thank you!
2011 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
$900,000 Amount raised to help Palmetto Health Children's hospital since 1997.
80,000 The number of patients the Children's Hospital helps every year.
$160,584 Amount raised to help make miracles happen in 2011 alone.
4,287 - The number of donors who generously contributed to the cause last year.
600+ The number of student dancers who participated in the event last year.
116 The number of students who help plan the event each year.
Largest student-run philanthropy in the state of South Carolina.
Dance Marathon is not a competition and does not even require the ability to dance! Dancers who have raised at least $150 are taught a fun, easy line dance throughout the course of the event. They also take part in fun-filled games and contests as well as enjoy entertainment from musicians and performance groups. Dancers are visited by miracle families, who share their touching stories, reminding them they are making a difference in the lives of others. The event lasts for 24-hours, symbolizing the difficult times a family can go through when a patient is undergoing treatment. Hundreds of student volunteers work together to support over 1,000 dancers.
The event is open to students, faculty, and staff at the University of South Carolina and takes place at Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on February 24-25, 2012 from 7 PM to 7 PM. Dancers may participate as individuals or in groups, and are required to stay for the entire 24 hours. We require that each dancer work to fundraise $150 in funds for Palmetto Health Children's Hospital.
USC Dance Marathon also hosts events year-round that strive to engage the greater Columbia community at all levels in an effort to bring together more than 30,000 students, faculty, family, hospital staff and community members
Teams and student organizations interested in participating in Dance Marathon have the opportunity to compete in our annual Miracle Cup/ Color War competition. Miracle Cup is a friendly competition between those participating in Dance Marathon. Points are awarded based on participation in Dance Marathon affiliated events before the event, the day of the event, and money raised for Children's Miracle Network and the Children's Hospital. Organizations and individuals are split into 4 team colors: green, black, red, and purple. Once you register to participate in Dance Marathon as an organization, you will be assigned to a team. Your organization's liaison will be updated on standings at each liaison meeting. In addition to Miracle Cup, the top Fundraising Organization and top Participating Organization will be recognized at the conclusion of Dance Marathon. For more information download the Miracles Cup policy guide or brochure in the RESOURCES section.
Registration is $25 and includes six meals, fun gifts, snacks, and a t-shirt. Click here to join over 1,200 USC students for "The Party with a Purpose."
Palmetto Health Children's Hospital has more than 30 medical subspecialties devoted strictly to children and cares for more than 80,000 children each year in its inpatient and outpatient facilities. A member of Children's Miracle Network since 1985, Children's Hospital has a nationally acclaimed pediatric residency program affiliated with The University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Regardless of patient's ability to pay, Children's Hospital provides quality and innovative medical care to all children. For more information on Children's Hospital please visit www.palmettohealthfoundation.org
Each year member hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to diseases and injuries of every kind.. Children's Miracle Network keeps 100 percent of donations in the community where funds were raised.
CMN Hospitals:
-Give $2.5 billion in charity care each year
-Perform 98% of all heart/lung transplants
-Treat 88% of all kids with cancer
-Treat 76% of all kids with cystic fibrosis
-Treat 90% of all kids with sickle cell anemia
-Treat 72% of all kids with pediatric AIDS
SOUTH CAROLINA'S OWN MIRACLE CHILDREN
There are over 12 miracle families from South Carolina who participate in Dance Marathon every year as USCDM families. USCDM families have children who have used or are using pediatric rehabilitation programs. These families directly interact with the students and community members involved with the organization. Over the course of the year, lasting relationships develop and grow between the dancers, who raise funds and awareness for the therapy programs, and the families, who work so hard each day to provide the best for their children. Because of this, USC Dance Marathon has made it their mission to do every thing FOR THE KIDS (FTK)-!
