Student Organizers Invite UC and Cincinnati Community to Go Dancin

Student organizers of the fourth-annual Cincinnati Dance Marathon are inviting students, faculty and staff to get involved in what they hope will be the largest Cincinnati Dance Marathon ever. The entire Tristate community is invited to participate in the

Cincinnati Dance Marathon, which begins at noon, Saturday, Feb. 18 and ends at noon, Sunday, Feb. 19, in the University of Cincinnati’s Campus Recreation Center (CRC).

The fundraiser benefits the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is a member of the network. Dancers dedicate a night of dancing for the children who can’t – children recognized for their courage in battling serious medical challenges.

More than 150 colleges across the country host these dance marathons to benefit their local children’s hospitals. Cincinnati Dance Marathon Chairman Chris Hais, a fifth-year UC finance major, says the event raised more than $24,300 last year.

Students are holding two information sessions for anyone who wants to join. The information sessions will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1, in Room 3250 CRC, and at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, in Room 3250 CRC. “The first session is open to anyone who wants to participate, volunteer or sponsor the event,” says Hais. “The second session is like a ‘Dancer Survivor Camp’ to prepare for the 24-hour dance marathon.”

“We’re really hoping to unite the entire Cincinnati community in support of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,” says Hais. “We try to keep it interesting through the entire night, with dance themes, guest DJs and lots of food.”

Hais says dancers can also pick up a few pointers through appearances by the UC Swing Dance Club and some CRC Zumba dance instructors.

Hais has been involved in the Cincinnati Dance Marathon through all four years of its existence, first starting out as transportation chair. The 23-year-old resident of Western Hills, a graduate of St. Xavier High School, says it was building these connections outside the classroom that led to the memories he’ll have of college long after he graduates in June.

“By getting involved, I feel like I went from a shy freshman to being able to stand in front of hundreds of people and talking all night, which is what I’ll be doing at the Cincinnati Dance Marathon,” says Hais.

Hais is also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. “I can honestly say that what I have discovered outside the classroom at UC is almost as transforming as what I’ve learned inside the classroom.”

Participants in the Cincinnati Dance Marathon can register and donate online through the Cincinnati Dance Marathon’s website.

Once volunteers register, they’ll be provided with the resources on how to solicit sponsors for the fundraiser.

The Children’s Miracle Network is an international nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness for 170 pediatric hospitals, including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.