As Boston College students and dance groups moved to prove Eagles Superfans don’t all have two left feet, 9-year-old Gabriella gave the Dance Marathon at the end of the Green Line “two thumbs up.”
Held to raise money for the Franciscan Hospital for Children, Saturday’s 12-hour dance party required BC participants to raise between $50 and $120 to be a dancer, moraler or volunteer, said head coordinator and BC senior Danielle Kidd.
The noon-to-midnight commitment was worth it for charity, BC sophomore Maria Sullivan said.
“People can afford to sacrifice that much amount of time,” Sullivan, a dancer in the marathon, said.
College dance groups performed throughout the day to entertain children and their parents. BC sophomore Ashley Inouye, captain of the Fuego Del Corazon dance troupe, said the performances were completely charitable.
“We don’t pay the organizers of Dance Marathon to participate, and they don’t pay us,” Inouye said. “There’s no winner. It’s all to help a great cause.”
Marathon volunteers said the payoff is the children’s smiles.
Franciscan Hospital aide Alberto Mendez said the marathon gave the children a rare opportunity, “to get them back in the community and see new things instead of the usual depressing hospital environment.”
Mendez said the students’ presence is the most important part for the kids.
“It shows them that they care and are role models to the kids,” he said. “Now the kids want to go to BC and go to college . . . the students become so familiar with the kids. They’re a part of us.”
Promoters ranging from small fledgling companies like Honest Tea to big corporations like American Airlines sponsored the event and said got a chance to promote their own products during the marathon.
BC sophomore James Lange, a marketing intern for American Airlines, said the company offered a raffle for $125 tickets.
For companies like Honest Tea that are just starting out, the Dance Marathon presented a chance to target the college market.
“Being new to the area, it’s a great opportunity to get the name out and let college students know of a healthier alternative,” said Ethan Robinson, Boston field marketing manager for Honest Tea.