Amy Poppinga

Wall-E, kids and morale dancers will take center stage at the Performing Arts Center on Nov. 5 as part of the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) State-A-Thon kickoff.

The event starts at 7 p.m. and will feature the members of the State-A-Thon’s executive board, a performance of last year’s morale dance (a dance used to keep everyone excited during the State-A-Thon) and the miracle story of a Brookings family who has been aided by CMN. Soon after, there will be a showing of Wall-E, the 2008 movie about a robot who collects litter.

“(The kick-off) is a great way to get introduced to CMN,” said Carson Dinger, social awareness coordinator for the University Program Council. “I think hearing the story the family will tell will get people interested in helping with CMN.”

The SDSU State-A-Thon is a 12-hour fundraiser to help families and kids who have been affected by serious illnesses. This year’s event will be held Feb. 28, and the fundraising goal is $40,000. All money raised will benefit local children.

Dinger said the State-A-Thon is open to all students, not just Greek members. He encourages all residence halls to get involved, and this year, the State-A-Thon is sponsoring contests for the halls. For the first contest, the residence hall floor that raises the most money for CMN will receive two free breakfasts, courtesy of Aramark. Dinger will also give out a traveling trophy, much like the Hobo Day traveling trophy, for the residence hall that raises the most money.

Dinger has been involved with four State-A-Thons. He first learned about the event through his fraternity.

“The first year, I fell into it,” said Dinger. “Then, I saw how awesome it was and gradually got more involved.”

He said it is a great charity to get involved with because it directly improves the lives of local children.

“It’s a great organization, especially in Sioux Falls. No child is turned away, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Dinger.

“To children’s lives, (CMN) is very meaningful.”