More than 7,000 ISU students will be shimmying and shaking for 15 hours Saturday to benefit children.

And the dancers are just the beginning.

Bands, local DJs, the ISU Drumline, the pom squad and cheerleaders are all slotted to perform.

Cy, Iowa State’s mascot, may even make a cameo appearance.

From 9 a.m. to midnight, the Great Hall of the Memorial Union will be buzzing with the excitement of the fourth Dance Marathon.

Dance Marathon is a university-wide charity event, and the money raised will go directly to the Children’s Hospital of Iowa in Iowa City.

All of the proceeds of the event help the families of children with life-threatening illnesses.

“It’s a great way to help the families that might not get the support they need from somewhere else,” said Entertainment Director Lindsay Wright.

“Dance Marathon is good for the Children’s Miracle Network because they get to use the money in the hospital the way that it would be most helpful to the kids.”

Last year, Iowa State raised $60,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network.

“Our goal this year is to surpass that amount,” said Executive Co-Director Amy Berger, senior in transportation logistics.

This certainly seems possible, considering the effort of the hundreds of dancers, volunteers and entertainers who “care enough to take one Saturday out of their busy schedules to make a difference in a child’s life,” said Wright, junior in industrial technology training and development.

Public Relations Co-Director Justin Hoffman, senior in speech communication, said that “a majority, if not all” of the entertainers will be donating their services, rather than getting paid for their time.

In addition to the musical entertainment, ISU administrators and sports figures will be speaking. These speakers include Vice President of Student Affairs Thomas Hill, College of Family and Consumer Sciences Dean Carol Meeks and Head Women’s Basketball Coach Bill Fennelly.

Other special guests, mainly the families of terminally ill children, will be on hand to share their personal stories. A candle light vigil will also be held in remembrance of children who have died, Hoffman said.

There will be some surprises throughout the day as well.

Wright said that she didn’t want to reveal the names of the band and DJs until Saturday.

There will also be surprise theme hours that won’t be disclosed until Saturday “to help create excitement during the day,” Berger said.

Past theme hours have included Cyclone hour, camouflage hour, ’80s hour and tie-dye hour.

And as if all this weren’t enough, there will be ballroom dancing, Ping-Pong tables and arcade games available for participants.

In order to get involved with Dance Marathon, dancers had to register in advance.

“By registering they agree to raise $150 before the event,” Berger said. “They secure their donations by asking the public, family and businesses for support.”

One of the goals of this year’s Dance Marathon is to involve Ames and the entire state of Iowa in the event.

Wright said the public is welcome to stop by at any time throughout the day, even if it is just to check out the entertainment for a little while.

“We invite any other student, faculty or staff member and the Ames community to visit our event and either volunteer or give a free-will donation at the door.” Berger added.