Dance Marathon organizers are continuing attempts to recruit dancers and raise money, though they are falling short of where they were last year at this time.

Last year, the Dance Marathon committee raised the required fund-raising amount from $175 to $275 per participant, resulting in fewer dancers at the marathon and less money raised.

This year’s committee reduced that requirement back to $175 to fix the several thousand dollar loss, said Cassie Becker, co-director of recruitment for Dance Marathon.

Erin Pike, co-director of special events, said Dance Marathon has raised $2,300, not including the dance fund-raising profits.

Last year at this time, the committee had raised $15,000.

Pike said one reason for the difference between these numbers is that Mini Dance Marathons at surrounding schools have not yet been held. Each year, Mini Marathons are held to raise additional funds. Iowa State’s Dance Marathon committee helps Ames High School with the logistics and attends the event, but, for the most part, the students put on the event.

The committee hopes to have two or three Mini Marathons this year, and the profits will be included in Iowa State’s Dance Marathon total. Last year, the total amount made by Dance Marathon was more than $120,000. This year, the organization would like to improve those numbers.

“We don’t really have a specific goal,” Becker said. “We just want to beat last year’s amount.”

In order to sign up more dancers and increase fund raising, the recruitment committee is pushing online registration.

Becker said this process is also easier on the group because there is no paperwork.

Last year, about 300 dancers were involved in the event. So far, 236 dancers have signed up for the 2005 event.

Becker said the committee would like to double that and have at least 500 dancers.

Molly Thrall, general co-director of Dance Marathon, said one of the biggest obstacles she and the committee have run into is making people aware of Dance Marathon. She said it is hard to get them to try Dance Marathon because it is intimidating to raise $175 and participate in a 15-hour event.

Thrall said there has been a big push in public relations and increasing awareness about Dance Marathon.

“You hear about a lot of college kids being lazy,” Thrall said. “It’s so neat to see hundreds and hundreds of college kids there, not because they have to be but because they care, they want to be doing something that makes a difference.”

Dance Marathon will be held from 9 a.m. until midnight on Jan. 22.

All funds go to the Children’s Miracle Network at the Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, Pike said.

The Children’s Miracle Network raises money for the treatment of child injuries and diseases, including cancer.

“The day of the event is really fun because a lot of our families and kids come that day, and we can kind of hang out with them,” Thrall said. “It gets really emotional.”

Pike said last year’s proceeds went to things like comfort kits for the children and their families. Comfort kits include things like crafts supplies to help take their minds off the treatment they are undergoing.

Thrall said the committee is not sure how the money raised at Dance Marathon this year will be used.

The group has the final say on what the money will go to, so it can make sure it’s something it wants to support.

After the committee knows the final amount raised, a decision will be made on where the money will go.

“The committee gets the final say on what the money will go to,” Thrall said. “Usually we don’t have a problem with it.”