Throughout this week, the Saint Mary's Dance Marathon fundraising committee will host various events for Riley Week on the Saint Mary’s campus, including a pizza party and yoga, according to junior Marissa Galloway.
“This year, we tried to incorporate new events that would be popular among the student body,” Galloway said. “We are really excited about our pizza party. We got a lot of support from the South Bend community.
"We are inviting the entire student body for $5, and the registered dancers get in for free. We will have tons of food from different restaurants like Domino's, Jimmy Johns, Chipotle and Hacienda.”
Sophomore Maranda Pennington said Riley Week is a push to promote the Dance Marathon, which is set to take place March 28, as well as support Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
“[Riley Week] is important because it is a whole week dedicated to an amazing cause,” Pennington said. “It is a chance for more students to learn about what exactly Dance Marathon members do and also how they can contribute. One of our main goals this year is to increase participation.”
Galloway said Dance Marathon is, above all, about the patients at Riley. She said students who attend Dance Marathon will find that they are taking part in something greater than themselves.
“I know that when I look back on my childhood, my favorite memories consist of swimming in my pool with my sisters, having sleepovers with my friends and playing kickball with the neighbors," Galloway said. "That isn't the case for the kids at Riley. Their memories consist of treatments and hospital visits.
"We do all of this for those kids. Throughout Riley Week, we want to create awareness for Riley's Children's Hospital and how raising money can enhance their [patients'] quality of life because they truly deserve it. We don't realize how lucky we truly are.”
“All of our funds go directly to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis," Pennington said. "The money raised assists children and families in need and improves the quality of care experienced at Riley.”
Galloway said students should become involved with Dance Marathon because it brings people together for a worthy cause.
“I think that a huge part of college is becoming involved in clubs and organizations," Galloway said. "With Dance Marathon, you realize that what you are doing is for a much greater good. I have developed incredibly close relationships with other students that I wouldn't have even had the privilege of meeting.
"We all work very closely together. We are like puzzle pieces and when one is missing, things start to fall apart. We all rely on each other, and it creates an amazing atmosphere. Each year, we strive to become better and better and to raise more money for Riley Children's Hospital.”
Pennington said the Dance Marathon committee will be holding registration for the event throughout the week.
