SM: What year are you and how many times have you participated in the Dance Marathon?

AS: I'm a senior, and I've done it twice already!

SM: Why do you participate in the 24 hour Dance Marathon?

AS: Oh gosh, there are like a bunch of reasons. I think the main one is that the UNC Dance Marathon marks the peak of our efforts. At the end of the Marathon, you get to see the culmination of all that you have done for the cause over the last year really come to life.

SM: What's your favorite part of the Dance Marathon and why?

AS: The Hedgehogs! Those little cuties come out right when you are feeling that slump of tiredness, and they wake you right up. The line dancing comes in as a close second though.

SM: What motivates you to stand up 24 hours?

AS: One day of struggle is nothing compared to what the patients and families endure, so to stand for one day means I can show my support.

SM: How you think the Dance Marathon is symbolic of the CFTK mission?

AS: Well first, we get all these students from UNC to raise the money. Yeah it seems like a task, but the value of what they are doing is beyond measure. The $200 goes a long way in helping out our cause and provides a few extra meals, a few extra groceries, or gallons of gas for someone. Additionally, to stand together with like several hundred of your closest friends, is really something unreal. They say it takes a village to support someone or something, well, here we are as an organization, a university, a community, hoping we might get to be someone's village for a little while.

SM: What is your favorite Dance Marathon memory?

AS: My first DM, I invited my friends and a couple people I had just met, to come to the talent show at the end, and they came! My friends and some strangers came to support me, but more importantly the kids and our cause, and it was so amazing. I'm still working on them to actually do the marathon with me, but baby steps.

SM: Why should other students participate in the Marathon and what can they look forward to?

AS: Other students should participate because they get to see how their fundraising efforts and their support impacts the people we serve. Everything comes full circle at the marathon and that is something that we don't often get to see. But they have so many other things to look forward to, like organized midnight snacks, and line dances you wouldn't do otherwise, and committee dances that we work really hard on. But that KCC talent show at the end, that really takes the cake. When we see those kids on stage, singing, or joking, or dancing, or anything really our hearts just melt!

SM: What about the Dance Marathon represents what Carolina stands for in terms of commitment to service and the community?

AS: I kind of touched on this, but Dance Marathon really allows students to exhibit the Carolina Way. It is our chance to show the world that we are a community that does care about our own and that we work hard to support our people, no matter who they are. Standing through the marathon marks our commitment to the patients and families. For me, doing it year after year just strengthens my dedication to support something greater than myself and to learn about the ways that I can support others.

Dance Marathon can be intimidating, and in the end, you can go back to your everyday life, but you also have gained so much of an appreciation for the commitment the patients and families have and their hardships. You've seen how your fundraising and how an organization such as CFTK impacts our community, and you've likely just spent 24 hours with a neon fanny pack, which you do grow to appreciate and will pull back out again next year for the next UNC Dance Marathon. I guess it's up to each dancer what the Marathon means to them, but no matter what, it is going to mean a whole lot.

The Carolina For The Kids family just got a lot bigger!!! During the week of September 4-7th, Carolina For The Kids kicked off September with Committee Recruitment Week. Throughout that week, the Executive Board and subchairs spoke with students in The Pit, waved posters and handed out flyers around campus to recruit new members, and encouraged students to join the largest student-run nonprofit in NC.

After a week of recruiting committee members, CFTK welcomed 352 new and returning members on to one of their 11 committees. Each committee member will directly impact the patients and families of UNC Children’s. The entire Executive Board is so excited to work with such a talented and eager group of individuals, and all of the committee members are excited to support Carolina For The Kids’ mission.

Following Committee Recruitment Week, Polina Cherkez, a junior on the Organizational Donations Committee, explained why she joined a committee her freshman year and why she continues to be a part of CFTK:

Polina joined Carolina For The Kids her freshman year to find a way to make an impact on the children at the hospital. After three years in the organization, she continues to be a committee member each year because of the people. She describes everyone in the organization as “supportive, selfless, and inspirational.” Polina has met so many new friends by being a committee member and has seen the impact that she has had on the patients and families, which is why she loves coming back each year.

As a committee member, Polina enjoys going out in the community to fundraise through canning, but one of her favorite CFTK events is Kilometers For The Kids: “I always like KFTK because its super easy to entice friends to run with you and have an impact on the organization. I love to see all the camaraderie of committee members at the race as we encourage and cheer each other on throughout the race!”

With Dancer Recruitment Week right around the corner, Polina is already super excited to participate in the UNC Dance Marathon again this year. She commented on how impactful and amazing the event is, and she hopes that all UNC students will join CFTK members by standing in support of the patients and families of UNC Children’s. “It’s an amazing 24-hours as we all have fun and stand for a purpose,” said Polina. She also really enjoys family hour because it puts everything into perspective after standing 24 hours for the kids!

When asked what she is looking forward to the most this year, Polina said, “As we welcomed so many new members into the organization, I’m most excited to see the huge impact that we, as undergraduate Carolina students, will have on the lives of so many families. It’s incredible the difference that a few students can have, and I can’t wait to share my experiences with so many new committee members.”

College students normally don’t wear pajamas when they go out on Friday nights, but a recent Carolina For The Kids event marked an exception to this rule.

On Friday, September 21st, Carolina For The Kids committee members and their friends packed the first floor of Might As Well for the 2019 UNC Dance Marathon Theme Reveal. Over 150 students attended the event, enjoying a fun night of food, drinks, and dancing in anticipation for the big reveal at midnight.

When the clock struck 12, the CFTK Executive Board lined up on the dancefloor, holding signs to spell out the 2019 UNC Dance Marathon theme; after a short video and a countdown, the 2019 theme was revealed – “Once Upon A Time!”

The 2019 UNC Dance Marathon Theme Reveal was a huge success, and CFTK members left the event excited for everything that lies ahead this school year!

Early on September 23 -- a cloudy Sunday morning perfect for a run -- students, athletes and families alike gathered at the Old Well for the 2018 Kilometers For The Kids. There was a great turnout for both the 5K and the 1-Mile Fun Run, with a grand total of 509 runners all running for the kids. Along both routes Carolina For The Kids committee members motivated the runners and reminded them of why they were there: For The Kids!

The first place 5K winner was a Junior, Samuel Goldstein. When asked what brought him out to KFTK, Goldstein responded, “It really supports a great cause, and CFTK is so present on campus.”

Among the women, first place went to Jenny Johnson. She heard about CFTK through a friend who is a cardiac surgeon at UNC Children’s. He told her that running in the race was a a great way to get involved with CFTK and support the patients and families. When asked how KFTK compared to other races she’s ran, Johnson replied, “This is beautiful. The scenery is gorgeous, and I’m looking forward to doing it next year.”

Kids who attended the event even had the opportunity to create their own crowns with princesses, Belle and Merida. The organization, Moments of Magic, came out to show their FTK spirit and highlight the 2019 UNC Dance Marathon theme: “Once Upon a Time.”

A wide variety of groups, students, and families participated in KFTK all to support UNC Children’s including The Stovell Family. Together, about 10 Stovell family members and friends spent a beautiful Sunday morning walking and running in KFTK. They explained how CFTK is so close to our hearts, and they love supporting the cause year after year.

Thank you to all who participated in KFTK, and we look forward to seeing you again next year!