Wanting to increase the amount of money it raises for Riley Hospital for Children, Warsaw Community High School will host its first Riley Dance Marathon March 23. While the event will only be open to WCHS students, invited guests and student councils from the Indiana Student Council Association northeast districts, there will be opportunities for the public to donate to Riley. Wednesday afternoon, the student council and representatives of other school clubs met in the Performing Arts Center to hear about Dance Marathons from Riley Children’s Foundation Dance Marathon Coordinator Chelsea Backus, Indianapolis. They also heard from Julia Moore, the mother of the late Bailey Moore, a Warsaw Schools student who was a patient at Riley. Backus told the students she was “so proud” of all that WCHS has done for Riley over the years and that she’s been “blown away” by the students she’s worked with. “You may not be personally affected by Riley, but you may know of someone who is,” she said. Many of Riley’s fundraisers are done by communities, she said. “We turn no child away,” Backus continued. “If a family isn’t able to pay, we treat them anyway.” Fundraising from events like Dance Marathons help make that happen. “We are the only comprehensive children’s hospital in the state,” she said. No dancing skill is required to participate in a Dance Marathon, she said, and dancing is not the only activity at the event. There can be games, concerts and other fun. A Dance Marathon is a tribute to the families of Riley. Participants remain on their feet for six hours out of respect for the families and for those kids who can’t stand on their own, she said. Dance Marathons were started in 1991 by friends of Ryan White, who had been a patient at Riley. White was an Indiana teen with hemophilia who became HIV positive through a blood transfusion. Not a lot was known about HIV and AIDs then, but through his efforts White educated the public about the disease. Though he was planning to attend Indiana University, he died after high school. Friends wanted to recognize White and his legacy, so they put on a Dance Marathon at I.U. in 1991. Now, the university’s Dance Marathons have thousands of attendees and raises more than $2 million for Riley. I.U. isn’t alone. Across the country, the Dance Marathons have taken high schools and colleges by storm. Backus said she participated in a Dance Marathon when she was younger, and it made her realize she wanted to work for a non-profit. “This is your Marathon, and I have no doubt it will be incredible,” Backus told the WCHS students. She challenged them to tell their friends, schoolmates and families about the fundraiser. When asked how they raised money for Riley through the event, Backus said an online First Giving page will be set up for WCHS by this weekend. People can donate online through that site, or can send checks and cash. “Every cent counts, every dollar counts,” Backus said, telling them to send out emails, tweets or Facebook messages out to their friends about it. She said the event can have a theme, and they shouldn’t hold back – it can be as elaborate as they want. They can have Riley families as guest speakers if they choose. If people see they are passionate about the Dance Marathon, they will become passionate about it, too, she said. Cody Shafer, student council junior class president, said planning for the event is ongoing but they have many ideas already, including an obstacle course, games and speakers. The event will go from 5 to 11 p.m. March 23. Cost is $8 without a shirt, $10 with a shirt. “There will be no seats. It’s standing the whole six hours because we’re standing for the kids who can’t stand themselves,” Shafer said. Moore said she’s attended a couple of Riley events for the Dance Marathon. “They are truly amazing,” she said. “They really do stand up for the kids who can’t stand for themselves.” The work Riley does is truly amazing, she said, and what WCHS is doing by supporting a Dance Marathon “is huge,” she said. “It doesn’t make a difference if you don’t have as many people show up as you wanted. It doesn’t make a difference if you don’t meet your goal. What you’re doing is amazing and a great thing,” she said. “It’s a fun event, too.” “I’m excited,” said WCHS Principal Troy Akers. “I think it’s going to be a great night.” During the brainstorming session on ways money could be raised for Riley before the Dance Marathon, the idea of selling T-shirts was discussed, including selling shirts to the community. More details will follow as they become available. Shafer said buckets will also be placed at local businesses for people to donate. To follow the event on Twitter, follow @wchsrileydance, or check the events page on Facebook. For more information or questions, contact Shafer at cody.shafer@iasc.us For more on Dance Marathons, visit the official website at http://www.rileykids.org/events/dance_marathons/
