First dance marathon benefits Levine Children’s Hospital

UNC Charlotte students started dancing at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 and stayed on their feet for 12 hours to celebrate raising $35,066.25 for the Levine Childen’s Hospital.

The 49er Dance Mine, held this past weekend in the Student Union, was the first of its kind at UNC Charlotte; it was part of a national movement in which colleges and universities across the country generate financial support for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in their communities.

Levine Scholars Celia Karp and Caitlin Vaverek co-chaired the planning committee for the marathon. Planning for the event started eight months ago and involved representatives from a number of student groups. The planning committee met with more than 60 campus organizations and created a number of fundraisers in advance of the marathon.

“More than 550 students registered for the event and to see everyone dancing all night long was the best feeling,” said Vaverek. “Families from the Levine Children’s Hospital came and spoke about how they had been affected by the hospital. It was amazing to realize we were actually making a difference in the lives of these real heroes who fight so hard every day.”

Karp echoed her co-chair’s comments. “Our goal in creating the UNC Charlotte dance marathon was not only to raise critical funds for Levine Children’s Hospital but to unite UNC Charlotte students with the greater Charlotte community and to instill a sense of civic engagement. We wanted to develop a cause that all students from UNC Charlotte’s diverse study body could become part of. We’re so excited that UNC Charlotte has adopted this new tradition and look forward to seeing more and more students become involved in years to come.”