KINGSTON, R.I. —  March 21, 2024 – University of Rhode Island student volunteers spent much of the school year raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network, and they will celebrate that effort on Sunday, March 24, with a dance-until-you-drop marathon in Mackal Field House. 

Called RhodyTHON, the dance will begin at 10 a.m and end at 8 p.m. 

Since 2017, more than $600,000 has been raised to support the Miracle Kids of Hasbro Children’s Hospital. In 2022 alone, RhodyTHON raised $46,000. Open to the public and aimed at improving the lives of the Miracle Kids, the dance’s registration fee is $5.

RhodyTHON is a major philanthropic event for the student community at URI. This past fall, RhodyTHON’S executive board worked with the men’s soccer team during a home match, among other events, to support the hospital.

A moving and energetic day, it will feature the unveiling of a check showing the amount raised this year, students enjoying pulsing music and food provided by local vendors, and visits from pediatric patients at Hasbro. At the top of each hour, there will be choreographed dance sequence performances. 

Student organizers Grace Heppes and Gabrielle Pino, both URI seniors, have been preparing for RhodyTHON since September. As executive director and director of communications, respectively, they are members of an executive board with more than 20 members. 

Donations can be made online or by paying the entry fee to participate in Rhodython at the door.

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This story was written by Samantha Melia, a senior journalism and political science major at the University of Rhode Island and an intern in the Department of Marketing and Communications.