If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact 2014 Publicity Chair Renee Montpetit, at publicity@uncdm.org.

Photo by Elizabeth Windsor| Kid Co-Captain Jake sings the alma mater to dancers during the kid co-captain talent show for the 2013 Marathon. The 2014 Marathon is only three days away, March 21-22!

Visit Online www.uncmara-

Volume 5, Issue 9 April 2014

to everyone who helped make the 16th annual UNC Dance Marathon the best it’s ever been.THANK YOU

In This IssuePress RewindWonder what UNC-DM was up to last month? Catch up on March’s events.

Page 2

Executive Director LetterRead former Executive Director Liz Goslin’s final remarks on the year and what she sees for the future of UNC-DM.

Page 2

FlashbackRelive some of the 2014 Marathon’s greatest moments.

Page 3Grant SpotlightThis month, we’re featuring our Parents Night Out grant. Page 4

Why I StandCheck out why Publicity committee member Breeze Riley stands, For the Kids.

Page 4

Twitter TalesSee the social media you missed out on during the marathon!

Page 6 If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact 2014 Publicity Chair Renee Montpetit, at publicity@uncdm.org.

The mission of The UNC Dance Marathon is to unite the University, community and state in fostering emotional and financial support that improves the quality of life for the patients, families and staff of N.C. Children’s Hospital.

Follow Us

Visit Online www.uncmarathon.org

Special Invitation

“I have long said I believe quitting is a learned behavior. Quitting is something I will never teach any of my

children, and obviously the same goes for all of these other kids here tonight and who are in that hospital right now, fighting whatever their battle is they are

refusing to give in. We may stumble, we may fall, but as long as we get up and keep going we have never quit.”

- Tony Arthur, father of kid co-captain Caelon

Sub-Chair ApplicationsBe on the lookout for sub-chair applications in April.

For the KidsStay tuned to our social media and blog to learn about where money raised over the past year will go.

Summer NewsletterThe summer 2014 issue of the UNC Dance Marathon newsletter will feature the new members of the Executive Board.

Get Caught Up - March HighlightsApril Newsletter | 2

Photo by Kelsey Davis | March 18 was officially UNC Dance Marathon Day in Chapel Hill. Both Ben and Jerry’s and Bluetique had benefit events throughout the day. Proceeds went to UNC-DM and the patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital.

Photo Courtesy of N.C. Children’s Hospital| N.C. Children’s Hospital painted an incredible 100-foot mural to celebrate the many members of UNC Dance Marathon and their 16 years of service to the hospital. The mural is an area of the hospital that is frequented by thousands of people every day. The mural was dedicated on March 19, and members of the Executive Board were in attendance.

Executive Director Final RemarksBy Liz Goslin

Photo by Erin Meyer| Committee members spent the night before the marathon taping banners to the walls of Fetzer Gym. Did you know that 507 banners were hung and 21 miles of duct tape were used for the marathon?

successful without the incredible and impressive work of our committee members, the support of our new and returning partners, advice from our alumni, guidance from Dr. Jacob Lohr and Dr. Julie Byerley (our wonderful faculty advisors!), assistance from our Board of Directors, the dedication and drive of the Executive Board, and, of course, our dancers whose 24-hour symbolic stand means just as much if not more than the total amount raised.

This organization has changed my life forever. It was an honor to serve in the role of Executive Director this year and I know Evan Sherwood will do a fantastic job next year. The memories I have made are some of the fondest I have—from serving dinner to families on Tuesday nights to raving with dancers at 11:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

While there are many things that make me extremely proud and humbled to have had the opportunity to be a piece of the UNC Dance Marathon puzzle, perhaps one of its greatest strengths (and my favorite parts!) is the passion it instills in others, and the outlet it provides for Carolina students to make a tangible

impact on their community. While this year may be coming to

a close, I know the future and what comes next is already on the minds of students on this campus, myself included. I cannot wait to see how next year and future years will build on the successes of the 2014 UNC Dance Marathon because of the thousands of students who will carry it forward and take it to places we don’t even know it can go.

f asked to sum up the past year with UNC Dance Marathon, there are two words that come to mind: remarkable and

unforgettable. For the first time in our history, we

surpassed the $500,000 mark, raising a grand total of $551,595.87. This is a tremendous milestone for not only our organization, but also for the patients and families served by North Carolina Children’s Hospital.

I will never forget the reaction of everyone in Fetzer Gym, from my parents and sister to the dancers, when the Executive Board revealed the final total for the year. I have never felt so much energy and enthusiasm in one place. That speaks volumes not only to what everyone accomplished this year, but also to the bright future UNC Dance Marathon has ahead of it.

To everyone who helped us get there, thank you. You are UNC Dance Marathon and the reason we continue to thrive and grow year after year.

This year would not have been so

I

Photo by Marissa Techmeier| Former Executive Director Liz Goslin and the newly announced 2015 Executive Director Evan Sherwood sitting down after the final reveal at the marathon. Stay tuned for a full list of the 2015 Executive Board!

April Newsletter | 3Marathon Highlights HOUR 0 Before the marathon even started, Footloose star Kevin Bacon sent a video shout-out

to the dancers to offer words of encouragement before the 24 hour stand began. Tony Arthur, parent of kid co-captain Caelon, delivered the kick-off speech.

HOUR 1 Dancers enjoyed watching the Men’s Basketball Team compete in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and bring home a victory over Providence. The Morale committee also taught the line dance.

HOUR 6 Dancers were able to go outside to Hooker Fields for the first-ever Midnight Magic! Anyone on campus was welcome to come and enjoy a free screening of Peter Pan complete with popcorn.

HOUR 9 Each of the 13 committees showed off their committee dances.

HOUR 10 During Senior Hour, seniors were recognized and danced on stage to the hit songs of the 90’s.

HOUR 11 All of the dancers headed outside to Kenan Stadium to watch the sunrise and get reenergized for the second half of the marathon.

Dancers went out to Hooker Fields to enjoy the warm sunshine, dogs from UNC Helping Paws and ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s.

HOUR 20

HOUR 16 DJ EverVida, a long-time UNC-DM favorite and now alumnus, took the stage to DJ during Alumni Hour for the midmorning rave, complete with plenty of glow sticks to go around.

HOUR 23 The Kid Co-Captains performed their own talent show for all the dancers. There were songs, dances, gymnastics and jokes for everyone to enjoy.

HOUR 24 The last hour of the marathon is always Family Hour. During this time, all of the Kid Co-Captains and their families were introduced on stage. Then, a few of the parents shared their stories to tell dancers about their experiences with UNC-DM. Finally, the Executive Board revealed the final total, $551,595.87, marking the first time the organization ever raised over half a million dollars. And then at last, dancers got to sit down!

Photo by Kendall Clark| Saturday was a perfect day for dancers to go outside and help relieve their feet. Some enjoyed playing with the dogs from UNC Helping Paws.

Photo by Marissa Techmeier| Kid Co-Captain Jake performed some of his many jokes during the talent show. Jake’s joke book sold for over $50,000 at the UNC-DM Benefit Reception back in January!

Your Wish Is Granted - Parents Night OutApril Newsletter | 4

By Marleigh Cannon

P

Eight-year-old David was very healthy boy, but he had swelling on his brain for unknown reasons. He was neurologically devastated for quite a while and needed acute rehab in Charlotte after being bed-bound for more than three months.

His dad had to return to work, and his mom needed to be at rehab with David so that she could participate and learn his needs. David had a 16-month-old baby sister, but his parents couldn’t afford child care needed for David’s dad to be able to work.

The For the Kids Fund paid for a month of child care so that David’s mom could be with him at rehab.

Why I Stand : Reflections from the 2014 Marathonwoke up the day after the marathon, and after standing for 24 hours my feet didn’t hurt. And that’s the point.

As much of a sacrifice as the marathon can seem while you’re doing it, the next day you go back to “normal” life.

You sacrifice those 24 hours with the hope that you can begin to understand why it is you’re standing. You stand for the patients and families who have to live with the complications of whatever medical issue the patient is dealing with every day.

It’s easy to forget that reason in the months leading up to the

marathon. You know that your efforts support the N.C. Children’s Hospital, but especially for first-year dancers there is often a disconnect between the standing for 24 hours and what

that action represents. Even as a second-time dancer

and committee member, I too needed the marathon to remind me why it is that myself and my peers stand.

As I sat down the day after the marathon to write a reflection about my experience, I didn’t know where to start. Should I write about the work we do on the Publicity committee? The marathon itself?

But I realized that as important as those things, the “how” and “what” of the marathon, are they will never be as important as the “why” of the marathon.

FTK. For the Kids.In the end you don’t celebrate how

arents Night Out is one of UNC Dance Marathon’s ongoing grants. It aims to provide families in N.C. Children’s Hospital

with a free hot meal once a week. Parents often use PNO as a way to

leave their rooms and interact with other parents. However, if a parent does not wish to leave his or her child’s side, UNC-DM volunteers will deliver the meal.

UNC-DM funds and sends volunteers to PNO half of the year while Volunteer Services provide funds and services for the other half of the year. In total, 7,234 meals were served at PNO throughout the past year.

Hospital Chair Candace Gentry attributes the extra month before the marathon for an increase in meals served this year.

“With help from Volunteer Services, who funds the grant for the second half of the year when Dance Marathon is over, we were able to provide volunteers until the week of

the marathon,” Gentry said. She said said families at the

hospital are appreciative and amazed of UNC-DM’s efforts through this grant.

By Breeze Riley

I For the Kids Story

Photo by Erin Meyer| Hospital Chair Candace Gentry (middle) with Hospital commitee sub-chairs Ryan Joyce and Michele Bresler. All three were usually present at Parents Night Out this year. PNO aims to provide families in N.C. Children’s Hospital with a free hot meal once a week.

much money you raised or how long you stood. You celebrate the patients and families UNC-DM has been able to help since 1999 and the patients and families it will serve in the future.

Riley is a member of the Publicity committee and a second-time dancer.

April Newsletter | 5

Marathon By the Numbers

7234 MEALS SERVED AT PNO

FUNDRAISING LETTERS62882034 DANCERS

1283 HOURS CANNING

508 5K & FUN RUN PARTICIPANTS

507 BANNERS HUNG

352 COMMITTEE MEMBERS

231 MOTIVATORS & VOLUNTEERS

55 HOSPITAL EVENTS

48 PERFORMERS

37 FUNDRAISING EVENTS

33 KID CO-CAPTAINS

21 MILES OF DUCT TAPE

16 YEARS

6 MINI-MARATHONS

1 CAUSE

April Newsletter | 6Twitter Tales #UNCDM2014

UNC Dance Marathon@UNCDMUNC Dance Marathon is the largest student-run fundraiser at UNC-Chapel Hill. Our efforts benefit the patients and families at N.C. Children’s Hospital.Chapel Hill, N.C. - http://www.uncmarathon.org

Following2,807 TWEETS967 FOLLOWING2,403 FOLLOWERS

Interactions

Caroline Inman @karokine_inmanStill can’t get over how perfect #UNCDM2014 was. A huge thank you and congrats to everyone involved!! FTK forever and always

6:18 PM - 23 Mar 14

Soumya @soo_umm_yehAnd the tears have started. LOVE THESE KIDS AND ALL THEIR TALENTS #UNCDM2014

4:32 PM - 22 Mar 14

Kathy Ellis @kackellisThank you so much for standing! Jake can’t wait to see you soon. Go Wrecking Belles!! #UNCDM2014 #FTK

11:48 AM - 22 Mar 14

Emily Burgner @Eburgggs24 hours of standing. 41 hours of no sleep. Over half a million dollars raised. The experience of a lifetime. #UNCDM2014 #FTKallDMday

10:06 PM - 22 Mar 14

Seth Bumgarner @sethbumgarnerSo proud of my fellow Tar Heels at #UNCDM2014! Y’all are incredible! It’s a #GDTBATH! #FTK

11:29 AM - 22 Mar 14

Katie Quine @UndeniablyKatieMore than 24 hours after #UNCDM2014, I still have moments when I scare myself after noticing that I’m sitting down. Can’t sit, won’t sit.

8:59 PM - 23 Mar 14

Whitley Burleson @WhitleyBurlesonSo blessed to be a part of such a wonderful organization. CAN’T WAIT until next year! #FTK #UNCDM2014

6:55 PM - 22 March 14

Love Chapel Hill @lovechapelhillJust saw @kevinbacon gave @UNCDM a shout out! “Rock on” y’all! Much love #FTK #UNCDM2014!

7:15 PM - 21 Mar 14

Sara Salinas @ssalinas813It’s happening. We’re sitting down. #UNCDM2014

6:47 PM - 22 Mar 14

Amanda Scuderi @AmandaScuderiNo better way to watch the UNC vs Providence game than with 2,000 friends at #UNCDM2014! Let’s go heels!

7:03 PM - 21 Mar 14

Rachel Daniel @RedWhiteANdRaeFamily Hour is when 365 days of work is justified by a single smile. #UNCDM2014 #FTK

4:53 PM - 22 Mar 14

Ani Garrigo @AniGarriAnd it begins. Officially checked in for the craziest 24 hours of my life. #UNCDM2014

5:53 PM - 21 Mar 14

April Newsletter | 7

Meet The Team

Left to right: Renee Montpetit, Breeze Riley,

Kelly Crupi, Elisabeth McFarland, Haley Waxman, Marleigh

Cannon and Hannah Wallace

2014

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Coastal Federal Credit UnionCarolina Dining ServicesUnderground PrintingLouise Beck PropertiesLab CorpBruegger’sBen & Jerry’sBerry Plastics02 FitnessTar Heel Photobooth

Red BullJimmy John’sCarolina Athletic AssociationSouthpoint Mall5 Hour SamplePanera BreadBevelloMonsterKaplanSigma Sigma Sigma

Alpha Chi OmegaDelta Sigma ThetaCheerwine5-Hour EnergyExpressionsDelta Delta DeltaKappa Kappa GammaLilly Pulitzer at Southpoint

Thank you to our sponsors!

The summer 2014 issue of the UNC Dance Marathon newsletter will feature the new members of the Executive Board and new initiatives funded by money raised at the 2014 Marathon. For more coverage of the 2014 Marathon, check out our website, blog

and social media accounts. We hope you have enjoyed this year!

Thank you to our presenting partner, Coastal Federal Credit Union, for their support For

the Kids!