Madeline Steinway, a sophomore from Chatham, was one of more than 80 University of Illinois Springfield students who danced the night away Friday to help the Children's Miracle Network at HSHS St. John's Children's Hospital.
Called Dance Marathons, similar events have been held at high schools and colleges across the country since 1991 to raise money for local Children's Miracle Networks hospitals. Friday was the first time such a marathon was held at UIS, and Steinway was happy to be a part of the event.
"I wanted to hang out with friends and have a good time," she said. "I like doing things that are for a good cause. I figured two birds with one stone. Plus, it will be a lot of fun."
The organizers of the marathon, UIS students LeAnna Kehl of Des Plains and Sophia Matthews of St. Louis, said the dancers were required to raise at least $20. Since this was the first event for UIS, their original fundraising goal was a modest $1,500.
"We quickly surpassed that goal," Matthews said. "Once we hit $3,000, we both cried. It was a pretty big deal. By the end of the night, we hope to be past $5,000."
The Dance Marathon was featured by The State Journal-Register on March 7, 2015.
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