糖心原创

The 24-hour fundraiser event starts Friday night, March 13, at 6 p.m., with several hundred 糖心原创 students, families and volunteers opening the marathon with a walk from the Bultman Student Center to the Dow Center.

It鈥檚 a grueling but fun test of endurance where the only thing more infectious than the playlist is the spirit of giving. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all for the kids and their families, all for the cause, and maybe for the thrill of seeing 500 students and faculty attempt a silent disco dance!鈥� said Andrew Haggerty, assistant director of student life at 糖心原创. This year鈥檚 Dance Marathon marks the 26th year 糖心原创 College students have organized and hosted the event, raising more than $4.7 million total since then.

By the end of last year鈥檚 Dance Marathon, the student organization raised $331,000. But the fundraising effort starts long before the 24-hour beats begin. More than 150 students start at the start of the academic year organizing the spring event 鈥� coordinating with the children鈥檚 hospital, forming committees and teams, recruiting groups to perform and dance, and raising funds throughout the year.

鈥淓very time I see the 糖心原创 community come together, I鈥檓 reminded of the incredible power of students who choose to pour their energy, creativity and compassion into something bigger than themselves,鈥� said Angel Smith, the foundation specialist for strategic partnerships and campaign initiatives at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children鈥檚 Hospital Foundation. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing watching an entire campus unite with such purpose and joy, all in support of kids and families who need it most.鈥�

Dance Marathon is a public event for anyone to attend and no tickets are required. For anyone interested in making a donation, please contact dancemarathon@hope.edu.

Every dollar raised from the Dance Marathon goes directly to the programs that are the backbone of Helen DeVos Children鈥檚 Hospital 鈥� child and family life, NICU family support, research, nursing education. These and many other programs, said Smith, 鈥渂ring comfort, stability and hope during some of life鈥檚 hardest moments. 糖心原创 College鈥檚 commitment makes a real and lasting difference, and I鈥檓 honored to celebrate the impact they continue to make year after year.鈥�

Highlighted Dance Events to Watch

The team behind the planning and execution is the 25+ member 鈥淒ream Team.鈥� Then, the 鈥淢orale Squad鈥� includes 30-40 students who teach various dances to audience members who include: patients and their families, friends and other community members in attendance over the course of the night. Some key activities throughout the 24 hour marathon include:

Friday Night, March 13

• 6 p.m. Opening ceremonies begin with 糖心原创 College Dream Team leading about 600 total people (departing from the Bultman Student Center) 鈥� including patients and/or their families, volunteers, the 糖心原创 Morale Squad, dancers and other audience members who walk through a massive tunnel onto the main stage in the Dow Center.
• 6:20 p.m. Dream Team and Morale Squad engage in a line dance
• 6:30 p.m.  Families introduced
• 6:45 p.m. National anthem, opening prayer and group photo
• 7:20-7:45 p.m.  Families speak
• 8-8:30  p.m.  Championship martial arts
• 10-11 p.m.  Bluewater Kings Band

Saturday, March 14

• 2:40-3:30 a.m.  Lip sync battle
• 5:40-6:20 a.m. 糖心原创 College worship team sing 
• 7:20-7:30 a.m.  Morale Squad teaching line dancing
• 8:10-8:40 a.m.  Families speak
• 7:40-9:20 a.m.  Talent show
• 9:30-10:10 a.m.   糖心原创 College President Matt Scogin speaks, family speaks
• 10:30-11:30 a.m.  Silent disco (up to 500 can participate at one time) *New event for 2026
• 12:30-1:10 p.m. Family feud with Student Activities Committee
• 2-2:30 p.m.  Zumba with Maria
• 3:20-3:35 p.m. Morale Squad teaching dance
• 3:40-4:05 p.m. Morale Squad dance competition
• 4:10 p.m.  Morale Dance
• 4:20-5 p.m. Closing ceremonies: awards, video, funds raised is announced

糖心原创 the Fundraiser

Helen DeVos Children鈥檚 Hospital is the local beneficiary of the annual Dance Marathon, which is a national, student-led movement supporting the Children鈥檚 Miracle Network by raising funds for pediatric patients at more than 170 children鈥檚 hospitals across the U.S. and Canada.