Dancing into DM

Kicking off fall engagement & recruitment efforts

Abby Milkes, Public Relations Staff

For many, the new event “Dancing into DM” was the perfect way to kick off the new school year. The event aimed to introduce new students to the organization while reconnecting returning members to the cause they hold close. It brought people together not just to dance, but to make a difference.

The event took place on Sept. 3 on Davis Field 1, encouraging classmates to take part and donate to the cause. To draw people in, free Rita’s and merch were given out. By the end of the night, Rita's and merch were gone, displaying not only the success of the night, but the community that showed up to support such a special cause.

In addition to the students that showed their support, miracle kids, child life staff and one of the team’s therapy dogs, Mirabelle, were also in attendance. Having those who are directly impacted by DM there was a powerful way to highlight the impact of fundraising efforts. 

“Dancing into DM tonight was so much more than I could have ever hoped for,” Addie Meeker, USCDM’s vice president of productions, said. "There were so many new faces out there dancing, grabbing merch and getting Rita’s.”

The star of the show, though, was the dancing. From 6:10-7:45, members of the organization and passersby gathered to learn a series of line dances, all taught by different members of the internal staff. The dances included The Wobble, Electric Slide, Cotton Eye Joe, Church Clap, Footloose, FLEX, Cooperhead Road, Shivers and Turn All the Lights On. 

It is in nights like these where the impact of community is truly felt. Those who had never heard of DM stopped by to learn dances, current internal members were able to talk to prospective students about the impact DM has had on them and everyone was able to come together for a shared mission. 

This event was a reminder of why we dance: for the kids, families and a future without childhood illness.