Creating Safe Environments in an Open Space
February 26, 2024MSU Montanathon: Dancing for Children’s Mental Health
Thirty-three years ago in 1991, Indiana University hosted the first-ever Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon – a fundraising event that would become a national movement toward raising money for children’s health. And because of one empowered student, now thousands of students, teachers, and community members gather across the U.S. and Canada to provide critical funding for 170 CMN hospitals, including right here in Montana.
Each year, MSU Dance Marathon, a local student-led organization at Montana State University, rallies together to educate, inspire, and raise funds for Shodair Children’s Hospital – the only CMN Hospital in the treasure state. And while the organization’s efforts culminate in the long-anticipated MSU Dance Marathon (better known as “Montanathon”), this passionate group of students work year-round to support the important efforts at Shodair through fundraising events like dodgeball tournaments, tie-die nights, ice skating gatherings, and even smaller dance parties.
$78,000 raised since 2019
“College can be a really tough season with a lot of defining moments,” said Rachel Hould, Student Executive Director of MSU Dance Marathon. “Being a part of an organization and event like the Dance Marathon is a great way for students to both find purpose in the community and learn more about Montana families, mental health care in the state, and the challenges we’re facing. Our initiative this year is ‘be the light’ and that’s exactly what we hope to do.”
Since its inception in 2019, the MSU Dance Marathon has raised nearly $78,000 – a number this year’s team plans to build on with its annual fundraising goal of $30,000. Led by five inspired students, each dollar raised at this year’s Dance Marathon will go directly toward providing critical care, support, and resources at Shodair. Though college students can often find themselves on a budget, explains Rachel, the MSU’s Dance Marathon is successfully rooted in a peer-to-peer fundraising model. Meaning of the 150 annual registrants, each is asked to take a big next step and create a Facebook fundraiser – encouraging their own friends, family, and personal social network to support them during the night’s big event! This model not only instills personal ownership in students but can often help raise awareness and inspire an entire community – a movement many Montanans experienced firsthand.
“I grew up in Shelby and witnessed the true positive impact that Shodair has,” said Rachel. I understood how important of a resource Shodair was to our community because I saw the impact it had on my peers. It’s because of that experience that I was inspired to do something big to support both Montana and Shodair.”
And she’s not the only one.
SUPPORT THE 2024 MONTANATHON
In just a few weeks, the MSU community will come together for the 2024 MSU Dance Marathon. And like any great event, it wouldn’t be complete without the support of all of you. On Sunday, March 24th, more than a hundred students, family, friends, and past Shodair champions will gather on a college campus. They’ll dance, play games, laugh, wear matching shirts, and likely shout out lyrics to their favorite songs. But, more than anything, they’ll gather to celebrate the hope and the future that Shodair provides for so many children and families across our state. And that’s a rallying cry worth getting behind. If you’re a business looking to donate, a community member excited to attend, or a Montanan passionate about mental health, then you have a role to play! Visit here to learn more or tap the button down below to heal, help and inspire hope at Shodair Children’s Hospital. Let’s dance, Montana!
