The Iowa State Dance Marathon club held its final miracle maker meeting Wednesday before their Big Event! on Saturday.
The Dance Marathon happens at different universities nationwide to help fundraise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Sierra Steenhoek, a senior in chemistry, said that Iowa State’s Dance Marathon club raises money for the Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City.
“We’re partnered with the Stead Family Children’s Hospital and some people do funding projects, they get specific funding projects, like the NICU at Stead,” Steenhoek said. “Or some people just raise general funds for the hospital that they can use however they need.”
Steenhoek said they host events to raise money to go to the hospital throughout the year.
“We have events like digs for DM, which is a fundraiser where participants, both general population and Iowa State students can come play volleyball and everybody pays an entrance fee, the money then gets donated to the donor drives of the winning team,” Steenhoek said.
Joey Rempe, a sophomore in kinesiology, said he decided to join because he had a few surgeries there and wanted to help out.
“I had a few surgeries, and I heard about Dance Marathon through that,” Rempe said. “I wanted to get involved when I came to college so I joined my freshman year. Now I am a morale team captain.”
Olivia Mertes, a senior in kinesiology pre-health, said she joined because she is going to be a doctor someday and she loves spending time with the families.
“I’m a pre-med, so I’m gonna be a doctor one day, and this is a super good club to join for that,” Mertes said. “All the families are so sweet, and I love all of them. The angel kiddo families that come and spend the day with us are awesome, just being able to spend the day with the kids is my favorite part.”
Mertes said that anyone thinking about joining should definitely do it.
“It’s one of the best times you’ll ever have,” Mertes said. “I’m in three clubs here, and this is by far my favorite one.”
According to the Dance Marathon website, the Big Event! is held to help celebrate all the achievements and money raised over the year.
For more information on the Dance Marathon, visit their website.
