Through hosting a dance marathon this year, Otterthon was able to raise $8,000 for the local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. This hospital delivers crucial life-saving treatments and healthcare services to children and their families in the local area.
The Dance Marathon is a student-led organization that students and organizations from across campus can join to raise money and awareness for sick and injured children year round. Then, once a year, there is an annual Dance Marathon where people may meet and recognize patient families, play games, enjoy entertainment, and raise money.
Taylor You, the president of this year's Otterthon, was in charge of overseeing the executive board, a team of seven people, in organizing the event.
“Our goal was to raise $15,000 for the kids at a nationwide children's hospital but we only made about half that,” You said. “Another goal was to bring together the Otterbein community to encourage philanthropy, so the lack of attendance was disappointing.”
You said that approximately 75 people attended the event, which is roughly one-third of the average turnout. Despite the fact that not everything went as planned, they raised nearly as much as they did at the previous event in 2019.
Audrey Gremmer, an Allied Health major whose role in Otterthon was marketing and communications, said she participated in Otterthon because it makes a difference in the lives of the children.
“When I first got involved in Otterthon I was looking for something to get involved in on campus and loved the mission and goal of Otterthon as a whole,” Gremmer said. “ I want to work in the healthcare field as a Physician Assistant one day which is where I have this passion to help those who need it, especially kids who are being treated at a hospital instead of living a normal childhood.”
Gremmer also expressed her dissatisfaction with this year’s attendance turnout. “The one thing that disappointed me a bit was the attendance, but the low attendance compared to previous years was definitely because of us not being able to have our actual event since 2019 because of COVID.”
Despite the fact that the fundraiser did not meet its goal and attendance was lacking, the patient’s heartfelt emotions lifted spirits and brought happiness.
“One of our patient champions wrote us a thank you card and expressed his excitement to come back again next year,” You said. “It was such a nice feeling to know that our work is appreciated.”
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