If you are looking for opportunities to volunteer, fundraise, make a positive impact or simply to meet some community-oriented people, look no further!
The Dance Marathon club at Iowa State allows students to participate in lively, fun activities while raising money for the Iowa City Children’s Hospital. Dance Marathon is the largest student-run philanthropy organization at Iowa State. Last year, the club raised $125,024.27 for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Dance Marathon events
Digs for Dance Marathon is a sand volleyball tournament open to all from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the ISU Sand Volleyball Courts. It is $30 to register a team of six to 10 people and $5 to register as an individual.
“I joined Dance Marathon as a way to be a part of a community that contributes to a cause that’s close to my heart,” Francis Dunning, a senior in history, said. “I’m looking forward to the volleyball tournament this Friday.”
Dunning has been a member of Dance Marathon for just under a year, and placed second with his team at last year’s Dance Marathon sand volleyball tournament.
Next on the calendar is Stacks for Stead, a pancake breakfast hosted on central campus, raising money for the Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Both students and families around the Ames area will attend this event Oct. 6. This event allows time to mingle with fellow students, meet local families involved with Dance Marathon and offers a chance to catch a flying pancake with a plate.
The biggest mark on the Dance Marathon calendar is the Big Event in February, which celebrates the culmination of the club’s fundraising efforts throughout the past year.
“This event is 12 hours, and we host students and families that are part of Dance Marathon,” Maci Sullivan, a sophomore in event management and the 2025 Dance Marathon Events Co-Director, said. “We have many activities during this, like silent disco, inflatables, airbrush tattoos, hypnotists and many more. We also hear some of the families’ stories and get to know a little bit more about why we do what we do. It’s the best day!”
Dance Marathon impact
Lauren Byers, a member of the Families Committee, participated in the Fall Families event last year, which assigned club members to spend time with a Dance Marathon family at Center Grove Orchard for the day, and noted it as a particularly special experience.
“Anyone who is looking to get more involved with children and the community in the Ames area should definitely consider joining,” Byers said. “I originally joined Dance Marathon because I thought it was for a good cause, but it is so much more than that. Connecting with the families affected by childhood illness has taught me so much about how to support children and families dealing with hospitalization and the stress that accompanies it.”
This year’s Dance Marathon President, Sierra Steenhoek, a senior majoring in chemistry, sees the organization as a great way to improve skills such as collaboration and leadership, in addition to the philanthropic aspect.
“Dance Marathon has helped me step outside of my comfort zone when working with a team and leading my peers,” Steenhoek said. “I wasn’t sure how involved I would get in different organizations before I came to college, but I am so incredibly grateful that I found Dance Marathon. It has taught me so much about how easy and important it is to try and make a difference and it has also given me such an amazing group of people who are also passionate about an incredible cause.”
To participate in the events detailed above or to learn more about Dance Marathon, go to Iowa State’s Dance Marathon Website or check their Instagram page.
