Blog Posts

The 2019 UNC Dance Marathon: Thank You

4/3/2019

Sara Hall is a member of the 2019 Public Relations Committee.

On March 22 and 23, Carolina For The Kids stood for 24 hours in solidarity with the families and patients of UNC Children’s. These 24 hours of no sitting and no sleeping were a culmination of our year-long fundraising efforts, and we were so lucky to have hundreds of dancers join us.

From watching exceptional performances from some of our Kid Co-Captains to listening to the lasting impact that CFTK has had on the families of UNC Children’s, these dancers were able to interact first-hand with the individuals who they were standing for.

Carolina For The Kids could not be more grateful for the support we’ve received throughout the year. To our committee members, our dancers, our sponsors, our volunteers and the countless individuals who donated: Thank you! This year would not have been the success that it was without your help. We were able to raise an amazing $440,955.07 that will go toward supporting families and patients in more ways than we can count. We are truly one of the luckiest organizations because we were given the opportunity to work with such incredible individuals. We are so proud of everything accomplished this year, and we cannot wait to see what next year and the 22nd Marathon will hold for us!

A Day in the Life of a Marathon Student

3/25/2019

Hope-Anne Elias is a member of the 2019 Public Relations Committee.

As we dive into the 20th hour of the Dance Marathon, we’re asking around to see what a day in the life of a Dance Marathon student is like. There are so many ways to get involved at the Marathon, and certainly there is a place for every kind of person under the sun as we gather together for this central cause, for the kids

Alyssa and Katherine
Alyssa (left) and Katherine (right) are both freshmen dancers! When asked what their favorite parts of the Marathon were so far, they both immediately recounted the fun they had playing Glow-in-the-dark dodgeball in Woolen. They also enjoyed coloring Saturday morning, and were eager to show off their artistic creations. Katherine also appreciated the opportunity on Friday night to sign up as a bone marrow transplant donor. “As much pain as I’m in right now, this is only a taste of what the patients and families feel everyday,” Alyssa reflected.

Emily
Emily, a junior, has spent three years on the Formal Affairs committee. As a subchair, during the Marathon she has had the responsibility of overseeing the raffle table and helping announce the lucky winners of prizes generously donated by the community. She said that serving as a subchair this past year has been a great learning experience in leadership. Her favorite part of the Marathon is developing closer bonds with her committee and meeting new people. In fact, during her first year at Dance Marathon, Emily met her best friend! There is truly no better way to make memories and new friends than by coming together toward a common goal.

Caroline
Caroline, a sophomore, has enjoyed her first Dance Marathon so far. As an RA, the 12-hour option made it possible for Caroline to have the Marathon experience this year. So far, her favorite part of the Marathon has been the performances, since there is a wide variety of different groups that she hasn’t seen perform before. She was struck by Hospital Hallway, which was dedicated to profiles of Kid Co-Captains, and she said that it was a great way to put faces to the organization and show the real impact behind the figures we raise.

Amy
Amy is a sophomore and a member of the Creative Media committee. This is her first Dance Marathon, and she enjoyed the sunrise walk around Kenan Stadium on Saturday morning the most. “Part of me was a bit deterred at the prospect of walking in the cold, but being surrounded by so many fellow dancers rejuvenated me. Sharing the sunrise with them was a memorable experience I will keep in my heart.” Throughout the past year as a committee member for CFTK, Amy has found a new passion for the organization. “Immersing myself in the energy that people radiate at the Marathon, the fact that they are all gathered here for a common cause, is very inspiring to me because they are trying to achieve a goal beyond their own personal ambitions.”

During the final segment of the Marathon, we will further be reminded why we are here and why we stand, as we await the arrival of the KCC’s and the commencement of Family Hour.

What Keeps You Standing?

3/23/2019

Ryan Carp is a member of the 2019 Public Relations Committee.

18 hours have now passed in the 2019 UNC Dance Marathon, and dancers are fighting through physical pain and mental exhaustion to support of the patients and families of UNC Children’s. As dancers make their way to the Marathon’s finish line, we wanted to know: what’s keeping them standing at this point in the Marathon?

One aspect that has helped many dancers keep standing has been the support of their friends, both old and new. First-years Julia Fish and Anna Herbert, for example have both made new friends over the course of this year’s Marathon – reflecting the power of the UNC Dance Marathon as a special bonding experience for those involved. Katie Otto, the Creative Media chair, also discussed the unifying nature of being a part of Carolina For The Kids; for Katie, “the support of [her] CFTK family” has driven her to keep standing throughout this year’s Dance Marathon.

Nevertheless, more than any other element, the cause is the primary motivating factor for dancers to keep standing over the course of the Marathon. First-years Cassie Beddick and Ellie Moran described the “socially impactful reward” of supporting the patients and families of UNC Children’s through their fundraising efforts and their participation in the UNC Dance Marathon, while Katie Otto was looking forward to hearing the families share their stories during Family Hour and see the Total Reveal at the Marathon’s conclusion – the financial figure that represents the impact will continue to make in the lives of the patients and families of UNC Children’s. However, junior McKenna Ritter summed up the role of the cause for dancers perfectly: “it’s all For The Kids.”

In summary, dancers at the 2019 UNC Dance Marathon have maintained their resolve to keep standing in the face of adversity largely due to the power of the cause that CFTK represents and the camaraderie that they have developed with their fellow Marathon participants. We hope that this resolve continues through the final 6 hours of the UNC Dance Marathon!

11 Hours Down, 13 to Go

3/23/2019

Nicole Welshe is a member of the 2019 Public Relations Committee

For the past 11 hours, starting at 7pm, UNC Dance Marathon participants have been dancing their hearts out, playing capture the flag, watching performances by UNC’s talented student body and more to keep energy up throughout the night.

The evening started with performances by a cappella groups such as the Achordants, UNC Cadence, and others who volunteered their time to perform for the dancers. Additionally, UNC Jump Rope appeared and wowed students.

After dinner, dancers had outdoor time, where capture the flag, soccer, volleyball and other games were played. Ben & Jerry’s also served many flavors of ice cream to energize dancers in addition to the change of scenery.

Glow-in-the-dark dodgeball was next, which was so cool because it actually was glow in the dark with smoke so the opponents were difficult to see. Only the balls and the laser lights were visible, so at 2am, this was a very interesting twist on an otherwise traditional game.

For snack, Insomnia cookies provided many types of cookies; there were Moe’s chips and salsa and apples and bananas available as well. The variety of options was definitely appreciated by dancers, so that the sugary and healthier choices can balance to sustain them for the next 15 hours.
After snack, a morale committee member led dancers in a 4am zumba class, that was appreciated and very popular among participants. This energized dancing really helped to pick up energy at a time where energy was dragging, so even though as first zumba isn’t what you want to do after standing for 10 hours, it was very fun and brought life back to the group.

There are many more events in store for the next 13 hours of the marathon, stay tuned to hear more about those activities!!

The Many Faces of UNCDM 2019’s Kid Co-Captains

3/23/2019

Sydney Mason is a 2019 committee member of Public Relations Committee.

As dancers near the tenth hour of the Marathon, the drooping eyelids, sore feet, and tired legs are beginning to set in. As hard as it can be to keep up the will to stand as the second half of the Marathon approaches, it’s important to remember what everyone is here for.

Following tradition, UNCDM 2019 will feature the Kid Co-Captains, or as they’re known in CFTK lingo, the KCCs. These kids come from all over the state and county and are involved with UNC Children’s either as patients or siblings of patients. Many of them have been coming to the hospital for years, and some have made joining the Marathon a tradition as well.

All of our KCCs bring a unique perspective and story to the Marathon. Some of them were in the hospital for only a brief stay, but have stayed with CFTK ever since. Others began their journey in UNC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and while many continue to require chronic medical care, they also find time to bring their can-do attitudes to the Marathon. Even more are siblings who have had to see their loved ones go through something that most people will never understand. But despite this, they make sure to share their positivity with their siblings, their loved ones, and the dancers here tonight.

Whether they find their home at CFTK as patients or as siblings, these kids are a great reminder of the impact every dancer at the Marathon has. For many of these families, the chronic hospitalizations become daunting, both emotionally and financially. Every penny raised for the Marathon through dancer fundraising, sponsor donations, and other sources goes towards alleviating some of this burden.

So every time you feel your feet start to hurt or you’re wishing you had your pillow with you, remember that our wonderful KCCs are going to be here before you know it (in less than 12 hours!) to remind you of the meaning behind the 2019 UNC Dance Marathon. Keep it up everyone!

Ready, Set, Dance!

3/23/2019

Cheryl Phillips is a member of the 2019 Public Relations Committee.

The 2019 24-hour Dance Marathon is officially underway, and our dancers are ready for the many hours ahead, all For The Kids. However, preparations for the marathon began long before the dancers even arrived. While fundraising and planning have been going on for months, the physical set-up of Fetzer gym began at 5 pm on Thursday evening. At this time, the production team arrived and the gym began to be transformed. The main stage was one of the first projects to tackle, and the crew wasted no time, unloading the truck of supplies and setting up framework for the site of multiple a capella performances, dances and later, the KCC talent show. At the same time, members from multiple committees arrived to decorate the gym space with colorful banners to brighten up and make Fetzer look fun. Every Saturday since last semester, CFTK members have gotten together to hand-paint these beautiful banners, all in preparation for this one, huge day.

Setup also included many tasks that may seem small, but all add up to allow the marathon to function and run smoothly. Committee members taped banners, blew up balloons, set up tables and prepped the downstairs area for dancers to get work done or just relax away from all the excitement for a moment. Marathon setup required the time and effort of every committee member, but could not have happened without the executive board. The board members devoted time to every setup shift to direct committee members and make sure setup functioned as efficiently as possible. Without them, the marathon would not be possible. All the work that was put in during setup was vital to turning Fetzer gym into a storybook-perfect setting for the 21st UNC Dance Marathon FTK!

CFTK’s Marathon Survival Guide

3/20/2019

Sara Hall is a member of the 2019 Public Relations Committee

1. Pack LOTS of extra clothes

Nothing will rejuvenate you more than throwing on a new, fresh t-shirt a couple of hours into the Dance Marathon.

2. Bring a couple of tennis balls

Odds are you are underestimating the sheer joy that you’ll feel once you start rolling your feet out with tennis balls to help soothe the ache. These are quite possibly the best way to keep your feet feeling alive and well for the full 24 hours.

3. Get prepared to eat. A LOT.

Carolina For The Kids makes sure that our dancers are well fed during the full 24 hours. Between several meals and tons of snacks, you’ll never find yourself hungry during Dance Marathon.

4. Bond with your dancer team!

When morale is low and you’re just ready to go to sleep, you’ll need a solid group of individuals to lean on. Your dancer team will be there through the ups and downs, and these will be some of the people that you find yourself closest to at the end of the marathon.

5. Pace your Red Bull intake

Yes, caffeine will be almost necessary during your 24 hours of standing. However, make sure you don’t try and chug three Red Bulls within an hour. Do that and you’ll find yourself hitting a major wall not to long after. Make sure to space out your caffeine so you can feel like your most energized self for as long as possible.

6. Be prepared for Family Hour and Total Reveal to bring not only you, but everyone individual in the room to tears.

When you see the faces that you are helping and watch the year-long fundraising finally come to fruition after standing an entire day, you can’t help but become overwhelmed with emotions. So grab your tissues and be prepared to shed a couple of tears.

The UNC Dance Marathon as a Marathon

3/20/2019

Ryan Carp and Cheryl Phillips are members of the 2019 Public Relations Committee

Whenever we talk to people that haven’t heard of Carolina For The Kids or the UNC Dance Marathon, they sometimes are confused by the name of the Dance Marathon – after all, it isn’t a long-distance race, nor do we dance the entire time. Their confusion got us thinking, however – how does the UNC Dance Marathon compare to an actual marathon? So, this is our assessment of how the UNC Dance Marathon stacks up with a 26.2-mile race.

Pre-race preparations = Pre-Marathon preparations

Before a marathon begins, runners make sure they’re fully hydrated, stretch to warm up their muscles, and get mentally focused for the race. They’ve been training for months in advance to ensure that they can achieve their goals. In the same way, everyone involved in the Dance Marathon has been fundraising and planning events, all culminating in this huge occasion. Before the Dance Marathon, dancers will pack the supplies they need, stretch to warm up their legs for the coming stand, and mentally prepare themselves for everything that lies ahead.

The start of the race = The start of the Marathon

At the beginning of a marathon, the runners all line up at the starting line and take off at the sound of a starter pistol, a buzzer, or an electronic prompter. At the Dance Marathon, everyone stands up in unison to officially kick off the 24-hour event. This moment in both types of Marathons is an important symbol of the beginning of a time that will change the lives of all the people involved.

Your fellow runners = Your fellow dancers

In a marathon and at the Dance Marathon, participants are surrounded by hundreds of their peers who share their dedication to the cause or to their sport, their months of preparation by training or fundraising, and their commitment to the physical and mental challenge that they are currently facing. Both runners and dancers feel the uplifting spirit of those around them who have been waiting for this moment just as long as they have.

In-race hydration = Meals and snacks at the Marathon

Over the course of a marathon, runners rehydrate themselves by drinking water or sports drinks; this fluid intake helps them to maintain their performance level throughout the race. This might seem insignificant, but is actually vital to a runner’s results. Meals and snacks at the Dance Marathon play the same role for dancers – they revitalize our bodies and our spirits, giving us the energy and focus we need to stay physically and mentally strong. Since 24 hours is a significant amount of time to not only stay awake, but also to stay standing, food and drink are an important part of what keeps the dancers going.

Fans cheering on the runners = Morale captains and Motivators

At marathons, fans in attendance support the runners through cheers, high-fives, and words of encouragement throughout the race, helping them perform to the best of their abilities. At the Dance Marathon, Morale captains and Motivators take up this role; through their boundless energy and endless support, Morale captains and Motivators give dancers the extra mental boost that they need to keep standing For The Kids.

The last mile = Family Hour

When running a marathon, the last mile is both the most anticipated and the most rewarding – with the finish line in sight, the runners are extremely close to accomplishing the goal that they’ve worked so hard to achieve. The last leg of the race can be so uplifting, and it gives a new burst of energy and motivation to finish strong. The last hour of the Dance Marathon, Family Hour, shares these characteristics, as the stories of the patients and families of UNC Children’s leave an indelible impression on the dancers that hear them. Family Hour is encouragement to dancers that their work and dedication does not go unnoticed, and that all the time they have put in has added up to something that is so worthwhile.

Crossing the finish line = Total Reveal

For marathon runners, crossing the finish line marks the end of their journey and the accomplishment of their ultimate goal. For dancers at the Dance Marathon, Total Reveal (the announcement of the year’s fundraising total) is their “finish line,” signifying the conclusion of the Dance Marathon and quantifying the impact that CFTK will have on the patients and families of UNC Children’s. This moment is exciting to both dancers and runners, as they have finally accomplished that for which they have worked.

Post-race celebration = Sit Down

Just as runners celebrate their achievements and catch their breath after crossing the finish line, dancers can celebrate their hard work and dedication when they finally sit down together at the conclusion of the Dance Marathon. Dancers have a moment to relax after their full day of standing For The Kids.

Post-race recovery = Post-Marathon recovery

After finishing a marathon, runners replenish themselves by eating, rehydrating, and resting. They get to leave the race knowing that they have completed something they can be proud of. The same is true for dancers after the Dance Marathon; physically exhausted and mentally drained, many dancers choose to recover with a long night’s sleep, dreaming about the memories they made and the lives they affected in the last 24 hours. They can sleep happy, having just seen the great impact that they can make on a child or family in need.

2019 UNC Dance Marathon – First-Year Dancer Perspective

3/20/2019

Ryan Carp is a committee member on the Public Relations Committee

On March 22nd, 2019, hundreds of UNC students will step into Fetzer Hall for their first UNC Dance Marathon, standing for 24 hours to support the patients and families of UNC Children’s. I talked to two of these first-time dancers, Miranda Black and Emily Stolzenbach, to get a better understanding of the perspective of new dancers heading into this year’s Dance Marathon.

Miranda and Emily both share a passion for the cause that CFTK represents – a passion that led them to become a dancer at the 2019 UNC Dance Marathon. For Emily, her connection for CFTK partially comes from her desired career path; “I am aspiring to be a pediatrician, so I am very passionate about children's healthcare. Therefore, CFTK was a great organization for me to get involved in.” Miranda also felt closely connected to CFTK’s cause; “I adore kids, and I love the idea of standing for those who don’t get to sit down and rest. By putting ourselves in the shoes of those who are suffering, we can understand their endurance on a new level.” As a result, Miranda and Emily decided to dance at this year’s Dance Marathon.

Miranda and Emily are both incredibly excited to experience the UNC Dance Marathon for the first time. “I’m looking forward to the sunrise walk in Kenan Stadium and all the fun activities that the committees have been planning,” said Miranda, “but most of all, I’m looking forward to hearing people’s stories of how CFTK has directly impacted them. I love hearing people’s stories, and knowing that I had the chance to be a small part of that impact means the whole world to me.” Emily shares this sentiment – “I am also really looking forward to hearing from the children and families of UNC Children's because it makes our fundraising efforts so much more rewarding when you get to see actual lives it will impact.”

With this excitement, however, comes some first-time nerves. “I am a little nervous about the 24-hour time commitment,” said Emily. “I can honestly say I have never stayed up for 24 hours in a row, so this will be a big first for me!” Miranda is also facing some jitters related to the nature of the Dance Marathon; “I’m a little nervous that I’m going to have trouble standing up for 24 hours.” Nevertheless, Miranda doesn’t see the Marathon’s difficulty as prohibitive or overly daunting – instead, she and Emily view the Marathon as a tremendous opportunity for learning and personal growth.

Overall, Miranda and Emily embody the emotional state and perspective of first-time dancers at the UNC Dance Marathon: somewhat apprehensive and unsure about what to expect, but mostly ecstatic to participate in this UNC tradition for the very first time. We hope that the 2019 UNC Dance Marathon is an experience that Emily, Miranda, and the rest of the first-time dancers will never forget.

Behind the Green Glasses: An Interview with A Long-Time CFTK Partner, Coastal Credit Union

3/20/2019

Hope-Anne Elias is a member of the 2019 Public Relations Committee

At the UNC Dance Marathon, you know them as the supplier of the green glasses: the flashy fashion statement that has quickly become a Marathon staple. Today, we’re taking a closer look at Coastal Credit Union because their partnership with CFTK goes well above and beyond their famous accessory.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Creighton Blackwell, the Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Community Engagement at Coastal Credit Union.

HE: When did Coastal Credit Union become partners with Carolina For the Kids, and how was this connection made?

CB: This will be the 6th year that we have partnered with CFTK. The connection was made by our current President and CEO of The Chamber For A Greater Chapel Hill – Carrboro, Aaron Nelson. Aaron is also an alumni of UNC and former Student Government President and knew the positive impact that CFTK and Dance Marathon made its communities. He also knew that I had been working for the betterment of communities for years and thought that there may be some synergies and partnering. He made the connection and we built the partnership from that point on.

HE: Why does Coastal continue to work with us? What is your favorite thing about working alongside Carolina For the Kids?

CB: It’s about the impact and sincerity of your mission that makes us continue to work with CFTK. We are committed to our communities and the work of nonprofits is vital to its sustainability. We have the honor of working with nonprofits of all sizes and causes, but the fact that this is completely student led and touches the lives that it does is truly amazing. Working with the students and seeing the smiles on the kids that are impacted are my favorite things about working alongside CFTK (especially since I am a proud alumni and I’m also happy to come back to campus and help lift up our students and UNC as much as possible!)

HE: Coastal is known by dancers for giving away the green glasses at Dance Marathon, but how else have you contributed and helped Carolina For The Kids achieve our goals through the years?

CB: I also sit on the CFTK Board of Directors and help to connect CFTK with other businesses and organizations that hopefully helps them achieve their goals. We consistently involve members of CFTK in our Chamber of Commerce activities and meetings to increase their network amongst other potential partners. We also do financial education sessions to help develop everyone to be better financial consumers!

(Earlier in the semester, Coastal demonstrated their dedication to financial education by hosting a Financial Reality Fair at UNC. Similar to a life-sized game of Life, the Reality Fair simulated future financial concerns, with an ultimate goal of teaching students about the power of budgeting and smart spending.)

HE: Lastly, why the green glasses?

CB: You can’t ignore the glow! Just like you can’t ignore the impact that CFTK and Coastal makes on our communities! See from our lens and watch the glow get bigger and stronger!

Creighton is certainly right; the green glow definitely makes a statement at the Marathon, just like Coastal Credit Union and CFTK do in the community. Thank you very much to Creighton for participating in this interview, which I hope sheds some light on our partnership with Coastal Credit Union, the generous corporation behind the green glasses.

<<Previous

Forward>>

The 2019 UNC Dance Marathon: Thank You

A Day in the Life of a Marathon Student

What Keeps You Standing?

11 Hours Down, 13 to Go

The Many Faces of UNCDM 2019’s Kid Co-Captains

Sydney Mason is a 2019 committee member of Public Relations Committee.

Ready, Set, Dance!

CFTK’s Marathon Survival Guide

The UNC Dance Marathon as a Marathon

2019 UNC Dance Marathon – First-Year Dancer Perspective

Behind the Green Glasses: An Interview with A Long-Time CFTK Partner, Coastal Credit Union

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