24 Hours of Dancing Herky

Feb. 14, 2013

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa Dance Marathon “Big Event” took place Feb. 1-2, 2013. Herky was there, for all 24 hours, dancing UI students at the Iowa Memorial Union.

Herky could be seen mingling with students in various parts of the IMU, making pancakes in the morning, playing video games with the participants, eating, getting a leg massage, running the tread mill marathon, where every mile earned more donations, and of course dancing with a few thousand of his closest friends.

Herky also visited the family room often where kids being supported by this fundraiser and their families would hang out talking to participants.

On Saturday morning, Herky and a few of the participants went to the UI Hospitals and Clinics to meet with some of the kids they were helping with this fundraiser. This meeting took place in the activities gym where kids could get their picture with Herky, as well as some of the Iowa cheerleaders and Iowa dance team members. This meeting was “Skyped” back to the IMU so dancers could see the happy faces of some of the kids currently being helped by the Children’s Hospital.

This 24-hour dance is a fundraiser for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. This was the 19th annual Dance Marathon. This year the event raised more than $1.5 million. Dancers raise money to participate in the 24-hour dance and the event is sponsored by numerous businesses to help keep the donations going to the children as much as possible.

Dancers are required to stay standing and dancing for 24 hours as campus bands, theater groups, families of the kids and other performers entertain.

Started in 1994 by a motivated group of students wanting to make a difference, the first Dance Marathon took place in 1995 and raised $31,000. It has since grown to include various other mini Dance Marathons, fundraising events throughout the year, as well as other campuses hosting their own Dance Marathons. To date the University of Iowa Dance Marathon has raised over $12.7 million.

To find out more about being a part of the University of Iowa Dance Marathon, go to dancemarathon.uiowa.edu.