As a result of the combined efforts of students, staff and the rest of the community surrounding District 219, Dance Marathon 2012 raised a total of $84,909.82 for two beneficiaries: Special Gifts Theatre (SGT) and the District 219 Foundation for Excellence. The tenth annual Dance Marathon took place May 26 at Niles West.

Of the total (which may change somewhat as late contributions or expenses are counted), students raised $74,909.82. In a surprise announcement as that total was revealed, an anonymous Special Gifts Theatre donor provided a matching gift of $10,000, lifting the grand total to nearly $85,000.

Dance Marathon is planned entirely by a student executive committee that organizes special events, finds corporate sponsors and even a DJ for the night of the event throughout the year while each doing their own individual fund raising. Other students from both schools participate in the roles of dancers and morale captains, who also fundraise all year and help to spread awareness about the selected charity. Each year the primary beneficiary changes. Nominees are  always submitted to the executive board by a student or community member and is selected by the students on the executive committee. (For 2013, more than 50 organizations were nominated.)

This year’s primary beneficiary was Special Gifts Theatre, a theatre program that allows children with special needs to experience the joy and enrichment of  performing while also enabling personal growth and breaking down stereotypes related to special needs in the community at large. The District 219 Foundation for Excellence, Dance Marathon’s secondary beneficiary, provides financial aid and other resources to students in economic need.

Senior executive board member Jay Patel, who worked with closely with the kids participating in SGT, said that the program showed him just what children with special needs could do. “Every kid is special but some stand out while others need inspiration to rise,” he said. “SGT provides that inspiration to [its participants] and helps them unleash their full potential.”

In May, all the students organizing and participating in Dance Marathon come together to celebrate their fundraising by dancing for eight hours nonstop. “The night of DM is the night where we see all the hard work, dedication, compassion and soul that everyone has put forth towards this well deserving charity,” senior exec Devika Nair said. This year, a group of students from SGT performed several songs from Grease, their 2012 production, for an enthusiastic crowd during Dance Marathon. “It was an unforgettable moment that will [be] in our hearts forever,” Nair said. “These kids danced the night away with all of us which meant the world to us.”

“It was one of the best nights of my life,” junior Linda Do said of the event. “I can’t wait to do it again next year.”