COME PUT ON OUR IUDM DANCING SHOES!

Ellen,

This is the story of how the IU Dance Marathon Shoes came to be...

It all started with plain, white, average shoes. Over 100 patients at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana signed, doodled on, drew over, and colored the shoes. With every signature, the kids shared a bit of their magic. When the shoes were covered with color and filled with love, doctors, nurses and students from all over the hospital put on the Dancing Shoes and showed everyone just how incredible the shoes were.

My name is Sarah Kleiman and I am honored to be a part of an organization that works endlessly to make the lives of children healthier and happier. The Indiana University Dance Marathon was founded in 1991 by a close friend of Ryan White, a soon-to-be Hoosier that passed away before his freshman year after a five-year battle with HIV/AIDS. Ryan attended Riley Hospital for Children throughout his journey and found within its walls, a home and among its staff, a family. Shortly before his death, he was quoted, "I will only go to Riley," and the words, now displayed below his portrait in the atrium of the hospital, have never been forgotten.

Twenty years have passed since the first IU Dance Marathon and over $8.5 million later, we are still striving to make the organization even better. Over 500 students work year-round planning, fundraising, and organizing. The hard work culminates in a 36-hour dance marathon. The event is not just dancing; music, games, food, sports, skits, contests, and so much more are just a few of the highlights. What makes the event special, however, are the patients and families of Riley Hospital that come to share their stories with the over 1,000 dancers. For 36 hours, these students stay awake and standing, all to show their support for the kids at Riley Hospital.

On behalf of the IU Dance Marathon, we would love for you to come to our 20th marathon this year November 12-14th. We all think it's right up your alley. Just think: 1,000 participants for the largest game of musical chairs? Hilarious renditions of the marshmallow game? So many possibilities. There is so much good that can be done and so much more we can do all FOR THE KIDS.

So, come and put on our Dancing Shoes!

You can email me at kleimans@indiana.edu but be looking out for the IUDM Dancing shoe that I sent you! It has a copy of the video, my contact information, and all the inspiration you need to love this organization as much as we do.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• IU
• Dance
• Marathon