From 12 p.m. March 1st to 12 p.m. March 2nd, 12 of our dedicated sisters took the challenge to be apart of the incredible experience of USC Dance Marathon. One in particular, Alex Hall, participated as a member of the university's morale team. The morale team is a select group of about 60 individuals who dedicate themselves to months of training and fundraising to be the leaders of the 24-hour event. It is an extremely competitive process, and we were so fortunate to have a Tri Delta on the team! That being said, it truly was no surprise to anyone that Alex was selected.
"I barely knew Alex when she became my big sister, and now that I've seen her in action I can say I've never met someone more dedicated to making life better for all who surround her."
- Zoe Raine, fellow USCDM participant, Tri Delta sister and Alex's little
.PNG) |
| Alex and Zoe |
We love you, A. Hall!
"Dance Marathon is a celebration of a year-long fundraising campaign for the Palmetto Health Children's Hospital which is our local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. A 13 minute long line dance is taught and mastered by all of the participants, games of dodgeball and knockout are played, bands and performers come to entertain, but most importantly Miracle Families come to share their stories and show why we are all doing what we are doing. This year we were fortunate enough to have 12 families come to speak and share how Palmetto Health Children's Hospital as impacted their lives.
Having these incredible people come and share the hardships they've overcome really tugs on your heart strings and allows participants and everyone involved to truly see where the money and hard work goes. I know I can say that seeing those kids up on stage with their bright eyes and smiling faces is more than enough motivation to take just one day to stand and dance.
This year USCDM went above and beyond fundraising expectations.
In total we raised $318,649.00 FOR THE KIDS!!!!
It's still incredibly difficult for me to even put into words the overall excitement and pure joy I felt when those numbers were flipped during closing ceremonies. Tri Delta contributed over $2,500 to that grand total from the fundraising of the individuals that participated in the event.
It was such an honor to be not only a part of the experience of USCDM but to be on the morale team. As a morale team captain, about 60 other students and I were basically the teachers of the line dance and the pep of the event. We help motivate the dancers to keep standing and are guides for them in learning the line dance and having an awesome time at main event. Being on the morale team definitely made me realize that what I'm doing really does make a difference in the lives of over 80,000 patients that are treated at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital every year.
One of the coolest things we did this year at the main event was make paper chains. We were able to string together 8,000 strips of paper and hang them for all to see. Seeing all of those chains and knowing that the hospital treats 10 times that many patients every year solidifies that what I and all the incredible people around me are doing is so so so so important! In addition, Tri Delta came in 3rd place in the banner competition with an awesome Despicable Me themed banner.
I would like to give a special thanks to Zoe Raine, Clara Kinnison, Laura Cornette, Julia Flowers, Mary Margaret Rentschler, Halie Schouten, Ali Black, Bessie Rose Woltz, Sydney Kohn, Hayley Geis, and Becca Toribio for coming and standing for the kids! I would also like to thank all of my sisters that donated to this cause and sent me texts of encouragement. This organization has impacted my life so tremendously and it was absolutely wonderful to be able to share that with my sisters.
One day we will dance in celebration, until then we will dance for a cure.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.