SMU hosts first dance marathon, proceeds benefit hospitalized children

By Regina Barbosa

News Editor

The first dance marathon at Saint Mary’s University was a big hit on Feb. 15, with about 250 people in attendance and $1,200 in funds raised for families with children in the Gundersen Lutheran Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), according to Dance Marathon Club President Serica Rowley.

Dance marathon is a nationwide movement, involving college students at more than 150 schools across the country to raise money for the CMN Hospitals in and near their local communities.

“The money goes directly to families to help pay for medical costs,” said Faculty Advisor for the Dance Marathon Club Shelly McCallum. She said the event was “very successful for the first time through.”

It was also the first time Gundersen Lutheran CMN benefitted from a Dance Marathon event.

Former Winona Mayor Jerry Miller was a special guest at the dance marathon along with Gundersen Lutheran representatives for CMN and local families aided by Gundersen Lutheran CMN.

“We had a young family from Eau Claire with a darling little boy who is now 3, and he was born with tumors on his brain. He had to have a bunch of surgeries,” said McCallum. “He’s doing really well and his two siblings were there with his mom and dad. They stayed and danced until about 12:30 a.m.”

The Oldie Moldie All-Stars performed and attracted a crowd to the event.      

The Dance Marathon Club hopes to host another dance marathon to benefit Gundersen Lutheran CMN next year.