Dance Marathon hosts Teal Wheels fundraiser

Myra Krieger-Coen

Last year, ISUDance Marathon raised more than $380,000 for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. The student organization is best known for its 15-hour-straight event, where participants remain standing the entire time, symbolizing support for the families who have lost countless hours to hospital waiting rooms.

However, they do a lot more than dancing.

Events fill the calendar throughout the year. For example, teal shirts can be spotted on campus every Tuesday. The organization takes every chance to exert the 2012 theme “This is What We Stand For.” 

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the group will show “what they bike for” with their second annual Teal Wheels event.

Miracle children, their families, Dance Marathon members and the community alike are welcomed to partake on a casual 8-mile group bike ride through the city of Ames to support Dance Marathon. Event check-in will begin at 9 a.m. on the south side of Hamilton Hall. The event itself will take off at 10 a.m. Participants will be given a free participation shirt and complimentary breakfast.

At least three miracle families will be in attendance on Saturday, and Dance Marathon members said they are excited to give the community a chance to meet and interact with the same families they support.

“It’s just another way to bring the miracle children and their families together and show them support,” said Marin Snede, one of Dance Marathon’s community development directors. “It’s an excellent way to reach out and raise that extra bit of awareness around Iowa State and Ames in general.”

The $20 registration fee will be donated to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.