Ann Kopecky

Students at South Dakota State University will be dancing around the clock Friday night.

The third annual Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon will held Friday from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the Volstorff Ballroom.

“We’re expecting to have 260 dancers,” said Mandy Warner, Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon coordinator and social awareness coordinator for the University Program Council.

Warner and other members of the Children’s Miracle Network executive board began planning for the event in September.

Press releases were sent to newspapers, cans were placed in local businesses for donations and door prizes, food and T-shirts were donated by area businesses.

Last week the Children’s Miracle Network raised $120 at a fundraiser at Pizza Ranch.

Each participant who signed up by Monday was required to participate in a letter-writing campaign. Each person who signed up was asked to send 10 letters to family and friends and raise $100 for the event.

This week the Children’s Miracle Network board members will be selling balloons in the breezeway. The balloons will then be used to decorate the family area Friday night.

For those who did not sign up and still want to participate in the dance marathon, they can pay $10 an hour to attend.

All the money raised will go to the Sioux Valley Hospital where it is distributed among families in the area.

Warner explained that the families’ problems can range from injuries and illness to premature birth complications.

The money raised will help cover travel costs, medical expenses and new equipment.

“They try to help as many people as they can,” Warner said of the Children’s Miracle Network.

Five families will be attending the event at SDSU. Last year only 3 families were able to attend.

“Families are there as a morale boost,” Warner said. “You get to meet the families. It really hits home when you meet a kid who’s had over 30 surgeries.”

The SDSU Children’s Miracle Network executive board members have a goal to raise $15,000. Last year they raised about $10,200.

A trophy will be awarded to the top organization, top male and top female fundraisers.

“It’s a really great cause,” Warner said. “Once you participate in it, it’s a really fun event. You get a lot out of it.”