Children were the record-setting focus for OU's largest student-run philanthropy Saturday and Sunday.

Dance Marathon is a campus-wide philanthropy that raises money for Children's Miracle Network, which funds and creates awareness for the children of its hospitals. The children have always been thefocus of the sixth annual event, but this year children became more involved in Dance Marathon.

About 600 students attended the event, making it OU and Oklahoma's largest student-run philanthropy. The event was moved this year to Lloyd Noble Center to fit the increasing number of participants. It was a 14-hour event filled with dancing, comedy, line-dancing, a hypnotist and relay games.

Kevin Estep, zoology junior, participated in the event for a second time. He said it seemed appropriate that Dance Marathon is now at Lloyd Noble Center.

"I think its better at Lloyd Noble," Estep said. "People come to watch basketball games here. They associate Lloyd Noble with excitement and enthusiasm and that's something Dance Marathon is all about."

He said the charity is so large because it benefits children. Looking at a child's smile makes a student feel like they are doing something good and that's why people like Dance Marathon so much, he said.

The event includes families who have benefited from Children's Miracle Network sharing their stories with the OU students.

A children's carnival was added to this year's event to get the focus more on the children. Participants were given more of an opportunity to meet them, said JoJo Brieschke, Dance Marathon chair. Many of the Children's Miracle Network children attended the carnival but many local children also attended. Clowns, the Sooners' Top Daug, carnival game booths, face painting and balloon character makers filled Lloyd Noble Center.

"The carnival was one of the highlights," Brieschke, communications junior said. "Students got to work one-n-one with the children they were helping and that is what the purpose of Dance Marathon is."

The carnival provided participants time to see where the money was going, Brieschke said. Each participant was required to raise at least $85.

Dance Marathon raised $62,620.46 this year, which was almost $20,000 more than last year, Brieschke said. The Children's Miracle Research Institute will match the money the marathon raised, and the OU Foundation will match that total.

Audrey Boyd, University College freshman, was so enthusiastic about helping the children that she raised $835, a-single-participant record. Boyd said she spent an hour sending letters to 21 family members and friends asking them for their help. She continued to receive donations even after the marathon.

"There are so many kids out there that need help and they need a lot of people to help them," Boyd said. "Things happen unexpectedly - people just need to help in a time of need."

Boyd said she was more touched than she expected she would be when she saw the smiling faces of the children at the carnival.

"It takes a little time to raise that much money and I hope everyone can raise over what they are required to raise next year," Boyd said.

She received a $260 book scholarship from University Bookstore for her work.


To learn more about the Children's Miracle Network visit www.cmn.org.
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