KINGSTON, R.I.- March 19, 2018- Dancing through the night, indulging in food from local restaurants, and listening to heartfelt talks from Rhode Island families are just some of what participants and attendees can expect at the University of Rhode Island’s first dance marathon, called RhodyThon, on Sat. March 24 from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. the following day in the Mackal Field House, 75 Keaney Rd. Kingston, R.I.

The URI event is part of The Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a national movement that benefits Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country, which includes Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. The non-profit organization ensures that 100 percent of all proceeds benefit childhood patients at network hospitals.

While some might find running an eight-hour event a difficult task, Hailey Flavin, executive director of student affairs for RhodyThon is up to the challenge.

“RhodyThon will be a night filled with good food and fun activities,” said Flavin, a senior journalism major and leadership minor. “The executive board has coordinated Zumba, hip hop yoga, volleyball, a live band, a DJ, and more to keep the crowd motivated. Additionally and most importantly, we will get to hear from the families we are raising money for, an element that I am greatly looking forward to.”

URI students have been fundraising with various organizations and as individuals since the beginning of the semester to surpass the goal of raising $100,000 for the kids. So far, the students are well on their way to their goal with the total growing every day.

The decision to bring the event to URI was a simple one. During an internship with Kathy Collins, vice president for Student Affairs, Flavin expressed her desire to have a dance marathon and the two agreed that an event of this caliber would have a profound impact on the campus community and our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Since the Greek community at URI is so large, the event started there and has grown exponentially to include anyone and any group at URI.

To make sure that members of URI’s fraternities and sororities fully supported the Dance Marathon, Flavin worked with members of the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils to form an executive board whose members would manage recruitment, morale, community outreach, marketing and more.

“The job of the executive board is three pronged,” explained the North Kingstown resident. “The marketing and outreach team is in charge of getting as many groups as possible to participate and to collect donations. The programming team is responsible for planning the activities that will keep participants on their feet for eight hours and contacting performers and families who will be speaking the night of the event. Finally, the student affairs team works with the University to make sure the event is organized and well executed.

“As a leader, it is never my intent to do something and expect to see an immediate impact,” said Flavin, who also serves as president of the Panhellenic Council. “My hope is that further down the road I can feel a sense of pride in bringing an event to this campus that raises huge amounts of money every year. I don’t want Dance Marathon to stop here. I hope it is an event that continues to grow year after year and eventually, URI could be known for being a primary contributor to this great cause.”

Students can register and donations can be made until the day of the event. Learn more about RhodyThon or make a donation.

Olivia Ross, an intern in the Marketing and Communications Department at URI and public relations major, wrote this press release.