Students showed up in record numbers to dance through the day and night and raise money for sick children and their families.

Dance Marathon at Iowa State was held from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. In order to participate, dancers had to raise $175 in donations. More than $113,000 was raised and will be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Iowa in Iowa City, a $28,000 increase from last year’s campaign, said Cory Hanson, Dance Marathon executive board member and senior in marketing.

Hanson said a record 381 people danced during the event, and more than 300 family members and 110 committee members attended.

Family members of “miracle kids” – children who receive direct treatment from the hospital – danced along with the students.

Many student dancers encouraged more people to participate in the future.

“You don’t know how wonderful it is until you participate in it,” said Stephanie Larson, sophomore in biochemistry.

Student dancers also said they thought it was important that the children who benefit from Dance Marathon attended.

“The dancing is fun, but so is listening to the stories of families and the faith they have in what we’re doing,” said Madelyn Hakes, sophomore in management.

Nicholas Smock, sophomore in management, said although the temperature was hot in the Great Hall and the food wasn’t the best, he was still glad to participate.

“The best part is interacting with the kids and playing with them,” Smock said. “Dance Marathon is a day-long event that changes the lives of children forever.”

One dancer said she could relate in a small way to the kids who have been in and out of hospitals for most of their lives.

“I have a heart disorder,” said Kelsey Vincent, sophomore in agricultural engineering. “I have an idea of what they’re going through on a lot smaller basis.”

Students said they were glad to donate their time and money to help the children and their families.

“We know the Schmalz family,” said Leah Hobson, junior in communication studies. “They’ve gone through a lot and we know it means a lot to them.”

Hanson said the Dance Marathon staff offers a letter-writing campaign to help dancers ask for support from friends and family. He said students went door-to-door in the Ames community to raise money, which would be used to buy items such as gasoline cards, which help offset travel expenses for the families, and phone cards.

“A lot of the stuff we provide are comfort items,” Hanson said.

Annon Woodin, senior in early childhood education and general executive board member for Dance Marathon, said Dance Marathon’s executive board learned that it’s important to get dancers registered, but it’s also important to keep in contact with them to make sure they raise enough money.

“They all want to be there,” Woodin said. “The problem is [making sure] that they follow through and raise the money.”

The Dance Marathon staff encourages people to come every year to check out the events. Hanson said the event itself is Dance Marathon’s best recruiting tool, because everyone can see that the organization is a worthy cause.