Manchester Students Take Riley Dance Marathon Online
Kaitlyn Cook, a junior, helped organize the event. Photo provided.
News Release
NORTH MANCHESTER – Students of Manchester University invited the neighbors to come over and dance for a good cause, but COVID-19 waltzed in and shut it down.
Instead of giving up, the students took it online.
Erin Brock, Co-President
“Where Dreams Come True Dance Marathon” to benefit Riley Hospital for Children was supposed to be Friday, April 17 on campus, but now is currently being held on Instagram. “Our goal is $8,000, and every penny we raise goes directly to the hospital,” said senior Erin Brock, co-president of the event with junior Kaitlyn Cook.
“Many of us have family and friends who are or have been patients at Riley’s. We have loved ones who have fought for their life because of illness, so we dance to celebrate them and their strength while raising money and awareness to support those who are saving their lives,” Brock said. “We dance for those who can’t.”
To donate, visit the Dance Marathon’s Website. Click the “Donate” button to give in the name of a participant or directly to the Riley Children’s Foundation. T-shirts are also available here, those who get them are encouraged to tag their posts with #MUDMFTK (Manchester University Dance Marathon For The Kids).
As of midday on Monday, April 27, more than $5,300 had been raised, including $500 from Manchester President Dave McFadden. “During the first week of April, we had what was called “Miracle Week,” where every day was dedicated to a certain cause or awareness efforts. In that week, we challenged President Dave to match the fundraising done by students and he agreed to match the first $500 raised,” Brock said. “Lucky for us, students, faculty, and staff managed to pull together over $1,400 dollars within that week, well exceeding President Dave’s challenge! Therefore, by the end of the week, we had collected just over $1,900 from the community.”
