'Marathon' to rock for charity cause

Quite a few University students will have sore feet on Sunday afternoon after participating in this weekend's 30-hour dance marathon.

Money raised by the event, scheduled to take place tomorrow and Sunday at the Indoor Track and Tennis Building, will help children supported by the Children's Miracle Network.

"The main thing here is for the kids," said LSA senior Inder Singh, executive director of the marathon. "That's why it's such an awesome event."

The effort has brought together campus student groups that are sponsoring dancers as well as donating time and volunteers to the marathon.

"I know its going to be successful because of all the money we've raised so far," said Business senior Jennifer Kosutic, one of the more than 400 volunteers for the event.

Each dancer has raised at least $230 to participate in this student-run event. All proceeds will go to the children's center at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, CMN's local affiliate.

Thirty-one universities across the country are hosting CMN dance marathons this year, said David Facer, director of the CMN Dance Marathons.

"Our mission is to raise funds and awareness for children and hospitals," Facer said. "It's a very grass-roots type of thing."

The idea for hosting a CMN dance marathon on the University's campus came from a recent Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association retreat, Singh said.

"It is an opportunity for people to get people excited about giving back to the community," said LSA senior Kelly Morrison, president of Golden Key, the University's chapter of the National Honor Society. "Golden Key is sponsoring six dancers, which I believe is more than any other group."

Dancers are required to be standing and moving for the duration of the event. They are prohibited from using caffeine to help them stay awake.

"I've never been up for 30 hours before," said LSA junior Kelly Heath, a marathon dancer. "I'm counting on adrenaline to keep me going. I'm more worried about Monday morning."

In order to keep the dancers motivated, the marathon's planning committee has arranged to have food and live entertainment available for the duration of the event.

A silent auction, featuring sports paraphernalia signed by University athletes, a baseball signed by Baltimore Oriole pitcher Scott Kamenecki and a football signed by members of the Buffalo Bills, is also scheduled.

"The goal here is that we want the dancers to finish," said John Mountz, the marathon's adviser.

Volunteers called "moralers" will also be on hand to inspire the dancers to complete the event, Singh said.

Those who plan to participate said they will need the available support.

"I am getting very nervous because it is a long time to be dancing," said Carolyn Tait, an Engineering junior who plans to participate in the marathon.

The event is free and open to the public.

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