This week, Saint Mary’s Dance Marathon (SMCDM) will be promoting its mission during its annual Riley Week.
Vice president of finance Kathleen Soller explained why Riley Week is important to achieving SMCDM’s yearly goals.
“The purpose of Riley Week is to raise funds and awareness for Riley Hospital for Children ahead of our Dance Marathon on April 9,” Soller said. “We use this week to educate the campuses about Riley and the importance of Dance Marathons. We have a whole week of events planned and all are welcome.”
The week will include themes beginning on Morale Monday and ending with Fun Friday. Events include a hype room, a silent auction and tabling across Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s. 
Soller emphasized her personal connection to Riley Children’s Hospital caused her to join Dance Marathon her first year.
“I originally joined Dance Marathon because I became a Riley Kid in 2017 when I was treated at Riley for cancer,” Soller said. “I was so grateful for all that Riley did for me, so I decided to give back to them in the form of Dance Marathon.”
Because fundraising comes from a variety of sources throughout the week, Soller noted that Riley Week has historically been Dance Marathon’s largest annual fundraiser.
“Riley Week is historically one of our biggest fundraisers throughout the year,” she said. “The money we raise during Riley Week will go towards our total on Marathon day. Most of our fundraising comes in the form of generous donations from friends and families, but we will also raise money through our Smick beanie and SMCDM bucket hat sales, along with our silent auction!”
Soller stated that Dance Marathon has successfully adapted to COVID-19 conditions over the last two years.
“This will be our third Marathon during COVID,” Soller said. “In 2020, we adapted last minute and transformed to a virtual Marathon from home. Last year, 2021, we held our first-ever outdoor Marathon. Both years, we continued to break our previous fundraising records.”
For this year’s marathon, Soller said while she hopes conditions can be more normal, Dance Marathon is prepared to change course.
“This year, 2022, we plan to hold our Marathon indoors again in the Angela Athletic and Wellness Center on Saint Mary’s Campus,” Soller said. “While we hope this year’s Marathon will be as normal as possible and look more like a pre-COVID Marathon, we are remaining flexible and will adapt to any changes or challenges that come our way.”
Soller invited any member of the tri-campus to join them for the marathon.
“We would love for anyone in the tri-campus community, students and staff, to join us at our Dance Marathon on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Angela Athletic and Wellness Center on Saint Mary’s Campus.”
If members of the tri-campus want to register for the Marathon, they can text “SMCDM22” to 51555.
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