Hunter
09/17/20
The executive council of Dance Marathon at the University of Iowa has decided to hold their annual 24-hour fundraiser online because of COVID-19 concerns.
The date for the marathon also has changed from its originally scheduled February 5th to February 26th.
The Daily Iowan reports Executive Director Elizabeth Jackson said group leaders moved all their fall semester activities after it was apparent that with 300 members, they couldn’t adhere to UI coronavirus guidelines, which limits gatherings to 50 people or less.
When COVID-19 cases began to spike as the fall semester began, leaders realized they’d have to move Dance Marathon online as well, out of safety concerns for students, families and community members.
The student organization is looking for ways to expand Dance Marathon to different platforms through live streaming and still plans on giving participants the 24-hour experience of the traditional Big Event. Also, by going online, the event can possibly expand from being just local to statewide and even country wide.
Dance Marathon has raised over $30 million for the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital since its formation in 1994.