Dance Marathon is a completely student-run organization that chooses a different charity to donate to each year. Through fundraisers, bake sales and canning, members of DM help the charity by raising money all year long. At the end of the year, there is an 8-hour dance marathon to celebrate all of the hard work and the total amount from the year of fundraising is revealed. In 2018, the final total was $80,823. This year, the charity has chosen to help Curt’s Cafe.

“Every year, members of DM are very committed to the cause… and I think this is one of the things DM does best because thousands of dollars are raised every year,” Diana Buda, a junior and exec on the Dance Marathon team, said.

Curt’s Cafe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping underprivileged children from ages 5 to 24. They help children who have experienced homelessness, school dropout, poverty, and incarceration. By teaching them about life skills such as opening a bank account and making financial decisions, they help a child make a life for themselves, despite a background that may get in the way of that. They provide employment, education, counseling, and job training, and mentors help the kids get through life in a healthy way.

With more students becoming interested in service work and volunteer opportunities as years go on, Dance Marathon has grown to become District 219’s School Chest. This means that the high schools and the community will partner to not only raise money for the charity but will also educate and provide awareness of the charity.

On Saturday, May 18, Dance Marathon will wrap up their year-long efforts with a final fundraising party. This is a night of dancing until you drop, food, and a major unveiling at the end of the ceremony where the amount of money that has been raised for Curt’s Cafe is celebrated.

“The night of DM is one of the coolest events of the year and I think everyone who goes ends up having a good time,” said Buda, “There’s music, dancing, themes for each hour, and food! It’s also… a chance to see all your hard work pay off.”

Tickets for DM night go on sale next week, and the price increases by five dollars every day, so get yours early! The first day is Wednesday, May 15, and tickets are $20 each. They are on sale all the way until Friday when the price becomes $30. You can also buy them at the door for $35 each. Come support our community!

Dance Marathon is also a good way to get involved in the school, as it is for a good cause and doesn’t require as much commitment as a sport would. (Tip: It also looks great on college applications!) If you are interested in joining, come to any meeting on Wednesdays in room 1100, or email the sponsor, Pankaj Sharma, at [email protected].